The Italian Memorandum

[Involvement Depends on Interest]

“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)

There will be little involvement in the Christian faith, if there is but meager interest in the program of the gospel. Greater involvement as service to Christ and his church (Ephesians 3:21) will only happen when Christians are captivated by “the calling.” (Ephesians 4:1). In other words, minimal interest equals minimal involvement.
Ephesians 4:1 speaks of “the calling to which you have been called.” Certainly, the apostle Paul is urging the Ephesians to walk in a worthy manner. Yet, in order to bring this about, Paul knew that he had to get through to the Ephesians. He must break into their thinking (Eph. 4:23). He does this by appealing to the common Christian call— the gospel call (2 Thess. 2:14); the kingdom call; the glory call (1 Thess. 2:12); and, “the upward call” (Phil. 3:14).
If the Christian’s call is not personalized, Christ will only be marginalized, and minimized. Only when there is interest in the gospel, will there be involvement in the gospel. The gospel is captivating enough to both interest and involve you today: “Taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).

-Robert M. Housby