I was recently studying Ephesians and remembered reading Watchman Nee’s small book on Ephesians entitled “Sit, Walk, Stand” back in the 70’s. It is an interesting little book that reminds us that the book of Ephesians can be broken up into three parts:
- We are to ‘SIT’ under the instruction of the doctrinal truths of who we are in Christ and what we possess in Him. (Eph 1:1 to 3:21) When that is understood we can then move on to the practical aspect of walking out those truths in our life.
- We are to ‘WALK’ in that knowledge as we live in the world. (Eph 4:1 to 6:9)
- When we walk in Christ we will be confronted by the works of satan, and we are to take our ‘STAND’ against him. (Eph 6:10-24)
As I study Ephesians, I try to remember these areas and am better equipped to be what the Lord desires of me. I often find that what is written in Ephesians is beyond the scope of the average reader unless broken down into everyday working truth. So often we read the Word of God and simply skim over some very important doctrines.
I know many people who have professed Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior but then want to walk before they sit. As they try to walk the walk they get frustrated with their attempts. stumbling and falling often. They get discouraged and wonder why they can’t seem to make it. Some totally give up.
When I see that happening, I am reminded of what we read in Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” In Mark 16:15 Jesus said, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Even in Acts 1:8 we read, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Never does it say we are to go into all the world and save people. We are to be Christ’s witnesses, we are to proclaim the gospel, and we are to make disciples. Often believers go and attempt to have people make commitments, to pray a prayer, and follow Jesus. This is what often leads to frustration and disappointment because without knowing what being saved or in Christ is all about, they simply don’t know how to walk. Satan rears his ugly head, and they find themselves in a losing battle without the armor of God to stand against him.
Being saved is a matter of being born again by the Spirit of God not simply by saying words. Don’t get me wrong, each of us are to make a proper discission to follow the Lord, but a heart change is needed. After telling Nicodemus that one must be born again to enter the kingdom of heaven, Nicodemus was confused not understanding how a grown man could re-enter the womb. Then in John 3:5-8 we read, Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So, it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
The Holy Spirit is the One who brings a man to faith. It is the Spirit of God who through the Word teaches each of us what we must know in order to sit, walk, and stand. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Paul reminds Timothy and us as well that, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
This is why making disciples is so important. We are to be witnesses of Christ and His gospel and ambassadors for Him in this world. We are also to teach and train folks the doctrines of Christ from the Word of God, so that they “may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Growing in the knowledge of Christ through the Word is what gives them the strength to walk uprightly.
When we understand the doctrines of Christ, we are to bring them to those who don’t know Jesus and begin to disciple them in those same things.
Before I came into a relationship with the Lord at 31 years old, I knew much of the Word of God but certainly didn’t walk the walk. It wasn’t until I was humbled that night, that the Holy Spirit came into my heart that things began to happen in my life. The night I confessed my sins before the Lord and accepted His salvation, a friend who was a believer quoted Philippians 1:6 “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” It wasn’t until I got into the study of the Word that my life changed. It was the discipleship through the Word (sitting under the doctrines of Christ) that I was able me to walk with Jesus. It was those truths that set me up with the armor of God so that I could stand against the wiles of satan. I realized I didn’t have to fight satan I simply had to stand firm in what I had in Christ.
Making disciples is a mandatory part of bringing folks to Jesus, teaching them to observe all that He has commanded.
In Christ,
David ‘PK’ VanderKlay