"...Therefore..."

As we continue our study of Ephesians, we come to Chapter 3, where Paul writes about a mystery revealed to him. We all know, he acknowledges, how the Jews have been God's chosen people since Abraham and were crucial to his plan. However, Paul says a mystery has been revealed to him that now the Gentiles are also included as joint heirs, "one body, sharers together in the promise of Christ Jesus" (Eph. 3:6 NIV).

At the beginning of Chapter 4, Paul continues his thoughts with a significant "therefore" that bridges the facts he's just explained with what our resulting behavior should be. If you're a new Christian, then you'll find this list of attributes to cultivate invaluable. If you're someone, who has been a disciple for a while, then these attributes should already be manifesting themselves to those around you. 

"I [THEREFORE], a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift" (Eph. 4: 1-7, ESV)

How are we doing? On our own we will fail miserably. of course, in cultivating these virtues, but with the Spirit's help, our walk and our calling can coalesce.