I'm Begging You

Paul was writing to one of his churches when he said, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. (Eph 4:1)  Although he had led people to the Lord and set up many churches, it was necessary for him to continue to work with them because of the Deceiver. When God gives anything good to us, a relentless force can twist a good thing into something dangerous. Paul repeatedly warned believers that someone would twist the truth of God. For example, For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph 2: 8,9) This beautiful truth is used by some believers as the reason they do nothing with their life for God. They reason, that salvation is not by works therefore they are required to do nothing in order to rule in heaven with Jesus.


The fact that we cannot “earn” salvation, does not suggest that we lay back in comfort while other people push the wagon, so to speak. The “not by works” passage is incomplete in the first paragraph. This is the rest of the thought; For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph 2:10) If a Christian is created to do good works, maybe people that do nothing have not yet been recreated? The Bible asks us in many places to dedicate our lives to God’s service. Paul even tells us of a power that is available to live in us to accomplish our work for God. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  (Eph 3:16,17)

Here is a sample of the instructions Paul gave the Corinthians. This was a church that needed instruction because they were not living a righteous life.

(All verses found in 1 Corinthians)
Do not deceive yourselves. (3:16)

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. (4:2)

You are not your own; you were bought at a price. (6:20)

No, I beat my body and make it my slave (9:27)

We are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. (11:32)

If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored. (14:38)

Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord. (15:58)

To see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. (2Cor 2:9)

We, who with unveiled faces, all reflect the Lord’s glory (3:18)

So we make it our goal to please him, (5:9)

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, (5:10)

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, (5:20)

We urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. (6:1)

Having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (9:8)

It is not surprising, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness (11:15)

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith (13:5)

God has always implored his believers to “wake-up” and live a proper Christian life. Every one of us has a lot of work to do and it is past time to live up to our responsibilities.