To Walk Worthy: Part Three
Paul charges us in the New Testament to “walk worthy” of the calling wherewith we are called. Just how do we walk worthy? By proving to be of value to God…rather than what we and our society value!
According to the Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary and a few science textbooks I still have around the house, base things include water, the foundation, the foot (no one likes feet!), the root, the debased, the impure, the low, and the vile!
Chemically, there are acids and bases as well. Would you believe it? BLOOD is a BASE!
What a coincidence!
By applying the name of Jesus, simply water—another base—washes away sin through baptism as the blood of Jesus is applied! We are saved by the blood of Jesus, a chemical base!
Oil, with which we are commanded to anoint the sick, is also a base! James 5:24 says, “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”
Likewise, when we come to God, we are base…low, vile, and often unwanted!
We are impure yet He uses us to fulfill His divine Will!
Finally, God collects things that are despised!
Despised objects are things that are scorned, disdained, or held in contempt. All of us have done things we are ashamed of and were once disreputable in some way. This passage of scripture, however, proclaims that God has a purpose for the most despicable drunk, the most irresponsible partier, the bound drug addict, the unfaithful adulterer.
Once again, NO MATTER what adjective you would choose to describe yourself and your past, you are prize material for God’s Kingdom!
You may feel simple, base, weak, despicable, foolish, and unworthy…
BUT if you are here today, God has chosen you!
All that is needed for the work of the Lord can be found among the patriarchs and priests of the faith!
Look at Aaron, the first high priest of God’s Old Testament Tabernacle:
Leviticus 8:30 says, “And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which was upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron, and upon his garments … and sanctified Aaron.”
We must be sanctified and clean to work in the ministry.
The anointing oil is likened to the oil of the Holy Ghost in the New Testament!
The blood is applied through baptism in Jesus’ name!
Once you have the blood and anointing power of the Spirit applied to your life, all you need is faith.
** Faith enough to offer all you have to give on the altar!
** Faith enough to step out when directed by the Lord!
** Faith enough to know that where your strength ends, God’s will begin!
** Faith enough to believe that your baseness, your weakness, your foolishness, even the personality traits or the past you may not be proud of CAN and WILL be used of God!
It is then that we can boldly begin to walk worthy of our calling!
Catch our next segment to see where the eye of faith can lead you in your walk!
