A New Lifestyle: Walking Worthy of Our Calling

Introduction

"The moment you accept Jesus Christ as Lord, 2 Corinthians 5:17 says 'All Things become new.'" Throughout Scripture, we find 30 distinct transformations that occur at the moment of salvation. This document explores the twenty-ninth of these transformations: receiving a new lifestyle.

The Distinction Between Identity and Lifestyle

It's important to distinguish between the transformation of our identity (which occurs instantly at salvation) and the transformation of our lifestyle (which is a progressive journey):

1. Identity change: When we accept Christ, we immediately become a "new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17). This is a one-time event, described in Greek with the aorist tense, indicating a completed action. We "put off the old man" and "put on the new man" (Ephesians 4:22-24) in a decisive break with our former identity.

2. Lifestyle transformation: While our identity changes instantly, our lifestyle changes progressively as we "walk" in our new identity. This "walking" is an ongoing process of living out who we already are in Christ.

The Biblical Concept of "Walking"

The New Testament frequently uses the metaphor of "walking" (Greek: peripateo) to describe the Christian's lifestyle. This walking implies:

1. Movement: Not standing still but making progress

2. Direction: Moving toward a specific destination

3. Consistency: A regular pattern of behavior

4. Progress: Advancing step by step

Our new lifestyle in Christ is characterized by specific ways of "walking" outlined throughout Paul's epistles.

Walking by the Spirit

Galatians 5:16

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh."

Galatians 5:25

"If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit."

These verses establish the foundation of our new lifestyle: dependence on the Holy Spirit. Several key principles emerge:

1. The source of our new life: "If we live by the Spirit" indicates that our spiritual life comes from the Holy Spirit

2. The source of our new lifestyle: Our daily conduct ("walk") should also be directed by the same Spirit

3. The promise of victory: Walking by the Spirit prevents us from fulfilling fleshly desires

4. The necessity of dependence: We cannot live the Christian life in our own strength

This walking by the Spirit represents a fundamental shift from self-dependence to Spirit-dependence. The Christian life was never designed to be lived through human effort but through the power of the indwelling Spirit.

Walking Worthy of Our Calling

Ephesians 4:1

"Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called."

As believers, we have received a high calling. We are:

• Sons and daughters of God

• Ambassadors for Christ

• A kingdom of priests

• Light in the darkness

• Witnesses to the nations

Our lifestyle should reflect the dignity and privilege of this calling. This doesn't mean perfection, but it does mean a consistent pattern of life that honors our heavenly citizenship and represents Christ well to the world.

Walking in Maturity

Ephesians 4:14-15

"As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ."

God expects believers to grow toward maturity in Christ. This spiritual growth process:

1. Is expected of all believers

2. Involves increasing stability in truth

3. Results in discernment against deception

4. Progresses at different rates for different people

5. Is not necessarily tied to years of salvation but to obedience and submission

Just as we would not expect a physical infant to remain an infant, God does not expect His spiritual children to remain spiritual infants. As the author of Hebrews noted, some believers remain on "milk" when they should have progressed to "solid food" (Hebrews 5:12-14).

Walking Differently from the World

Ephesians 4:17

"So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind."

Our new lifestyle involves a distinct separation from worldly patterns of living. We are called to:

1. Think differently (not in "futility of mind")

2. Value differently

3. Behave differently

4. Speak differently

This doesn't mean isolation from the world, but transformation within it. We are to be "in the world but not of it" (John 17:14-16).

Walking as Imitators of God

Ephesians 5:1

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children."

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of our new lifestyle is the call to imitate God Himself. Just as children naturally imitate their parents, we are to imitate our heavenly Father.

This imitation involves:

1. Observing God's character as revealed in Scripture

2. Looking to Jesus as the perfect representation of God (Hebrews 1:3)

3. Following Christ's example in all areas of life

4. Reflecting God's attributes in our interactions with others

This calling might seem impossible, but it reflects God's high purpose for His children—to be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).

Walking as Children of Light

Ephesians 5:8

"For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light."

Our identity has shifted from darkness to light, and our lifestyle should reflect this transformation. As 1 John elaborates, walking in the light involves:

1. Living in truth rather than deception

2. Loving others rather than hating them

3. Maintaining fellowship with believers

4. Experiencing ongoing cleansing from sin

Jesus said, "You are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14). Our lifestyle should illuminate the darkness around us through godly conduct, truth, and love.

Walking in Wisdom

Ephesians 5:15

"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise."

Our new lifestyle is characterized by wisdom—seeing life from God's perspective and making choices aligned with His values. This wisdom:

1. Comes from God (James 1:5)

2. Is found in God's Word

3. Is applied through prayer and discernment

4. Results in prudent, God-honoring decisions

Walking in Joy and Peace

Philippians 4:4, 6-7

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!... Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Our new lifestyle includes a transformed approach to life's challenges:

1. Rejoicing consistently: Finding joy in the Lord regardless of circumstances

2. Rejecting anxiety: Refusing to be controlled by worry

3. Practicing prayer: Bringing concerns to God rather than ruminating on them

4. Experiencing supernatural peace: Receiving God's peace that "surpasses all comprehension"

This peace isn't the absence of problems but the presence of God in the midst of problems. It's a peace that can come even in threatening or frightening circumstances—a peace that confounds human understanding because it doesn't depend on external conditions.

Walking to Please God

Colossians 1:9-10

"For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Contrary to some teachings that suggest believers cannot please God, Scripture affirms that we can indeed please Him through our lifestyle. Walking to please God involves:

1. Being filled with the knowledge of His will

2. Operating in spiritual wisdom

3. Bearing fruit in good works

4. Growing in the knowledge of God

When we walk in this manner, God is pleased—He "smiles" upon us, as suggested by the biblical blessing "may His face shine upon you" (Numbers 6:25).

Walking with Heavenly Focus

Colossians 3:1-2

"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth."

Our new lifestyle is characterized by a heavenly perspective. We:

1. Focus on spiritual realities more than material ones

2. Make decisions based on eternal values

3. Prioritize what will matter in eternity

4. Live as citizens of heaven while sojourning on earth

This mindset connects with our new citizenship (discussed in an earlier study) and shapes how we approach every aspect of life.

Walking in Peace, Gratitude, and Purpose

Colossians 3:15-17

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."

Our new lifestyle should be characterized by:

1. Peace: Allowing Christ's peace to govern our hearts

2. Gratitude: Maintaining an attitude of thankfulness

3. Scripture saturation: Letting God's Word "richly dwell" in us

4. Worship: Expressing praise to God from grateful hearts

5. Purposeful living: Doing everything "in the name of the Lord Jesus"

Walking in Diligence

Colossians 3:23

"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men."

Our new lifestyle transforms even our most ordinary tasks. We now:

1. Work with excellence, regardless of the task

2. Serve ultimately for God's approval, not human recognition

3. See all legitimate work as spiritual service

4. Bring dignity to every honorable vocation

This perspective elevates all of life to spiritual significance. There is no division between "sacred" and "secular" for the believer who does everything "as for the Lord."

The Possibility of Victory

Many Christians struggle to believe they can consistently live a victorious life. They assume daily defeat is inevitable and question whether a lifestyle of consistent obedience is possible.

However, Scripture never states that believers must sin daily. Instead, it consistently calls us to victory through the Spirit's power. While we will never claim sinlessness (1 John 1:8), neither should we embrace inevitable defeat. The Bible repeatedly calls us to "walk" in ways that honor God, with the understanding that such a lifestyle is possible through the Holy Spirit's power.

This is not about perfection but direction—consistently moving toward Christlikeness through dependence on the Spirit.

Conclusion

When we accept Christ, we receive a new lifestyle—a new way of "walking" that reflects our new identity. This lifestyle is characterized by dependence on the Spirit, worthiness of our calling, growth toward maturity, distinction from the world, imitation of God, living as light, walking in wisdom, experiencing joy and peace, pleasing God, maintaining a heavenly focus, and working diligently.

This new lifestyle doesn't develop automatically but requires our cooperation with the Holy Spirit. As we learn to walk by the Spirit rather than in our own strength, we increasingly manifest the life of Christ that has been placed within us.

Our new lifestyle isn't about rigid rule-keeping but about the outward expression of our inward transformation—living from the outside what God has made us on the inside.