Ephesians 4:1

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

-Ephesians 4:1

Paul begins by urging them "to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called".  However, the verse has "therefore" at the beginning.  I wonder what this "therefore" is referring to.  Could Paul be referring to himself and his calling as to the reason why he is urging them?  Or perhaps is he urging them on the basis of what has happened to them (saved by grace)?  In any case, he is urging them to live a certain way.  He calls them to live in light of their calling.  Thinking back to their call, where they once were and where they are now, is supposed to help guide or show the way in which they are to live.  However, it's more than just that.  They are to live in a way that is worthy of their calling.  Their calling is something of a certain worth and so the life they live is supposed to reflect that worth.  This, in some ways, is quite a daunting task.  To be saved by grace when one was once dead in trespasses and sins is an immensely great thing.  To live worthy of being saved from such a lowly state is perhaps impossible.  Yet, this is what Paul is calling his readers to.  For those saved by grace, we know that we once were dead and had no hope of redemption in our own strength.  Yet, we were saved and we are now called to live worthy of that.  How crazy is that?  Yet it is our calling and we gladly accept.

Now, it is important to note that living worthy of the calling is not as payment.  to be clear, we do not work for our salvation.  However, opposite to popular opinion, we are not saved because of the good that we do, but we do good because we have already been saved.  In any case, we are urged to live a certain way, so let us move forward in that manner.