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The “Christian walk” is one of the
major themes of the book of Ephesians. Paul uses similar
illustrations in a few of his letters. This kind of imagery
helps the reader understand that Christianity is a way of
life, not something that just happens. We have to decide which
path we want to trod. We can either walk the broad way that
leads to destruction or the narrow way that leads to eternal
life. Paul encourages his readers to understand that decisions
are being made that effect men’s lives on a daily basis.
Paul begins using this illustrative language in chapter two,
when he reminds us of how we once walked: “And you He made
alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once
walked according to the course of this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in
the sons of disobedience…” (Eph. 2:1-2). Before God gave
us life, we were simply walking dead people. When God raised
us up together with Christ, Paul says we were “Created in
Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand
that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). Those who have
been saved by the grace of God are created—made new— in
Christ. That means we must walk differently than we did
before. Paul makes it clear that every Christian must:
1. “Walk in Love.” Children learn how to act by
imitating their parents. We are to imitate God as “dear
children.” After talking about mans’ need to love all men,
Jesus concludes his thoughts by saying, “Therefore you shall
be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matt.
5:48). John tells us that “God is love” (1 John 4:8), and
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten
Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life” (John 3:16). Christ is “the image of the
invisible God” (Col. 1:15). He was God in the flesh, and
Paul tells us to follow his example of love. “He loved us
and gave Himself for us” (Eph. 5:2). The man of the world is
only concerned about self, but when he comes to Christ he must
deny himself take up his cross and follow Jesus.
2. “Walk as children of light.” John wrote, “If
we say we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we
lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light
as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another”
(1 John 1:6-7). We cannot participate in the ways of the
world, and still be in fellowship with God and His people.
Those who are friends with the world cannot be friends with
God (
Jam.
4:4). Not only must Christians avoid participating in deeds of
darkness, Paul tell us that we are to “expose them” (Eph.
5:11).
3. “Walk in Wisdom.” Paul says, “See then that
you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise” (Eph.
5:15). Since we are to walk as children of light, we must
always be aware of our surroundings. Only a fool puts himself
in tempting situations that can jeopardize his relationship
with God. Sometimes we find ourselves in bad situations for
reasons beyond our control, but if we would “look around”
more carefully, which is what circumspection is, we could
often help ourselves avoid difficult situations. We have to
walk wisely, not like fools.
4. Walk Together. Paul doesn’t use this phrase
anywhere in the text of the letter, but the message is present
from the beginning of chapter four. After Paul says to “walk
worthy of the calling with which you were called” he
continues with, “with all lowliness and gentleness, with
longsuffering, bearing with one another in love” (Eph.
4:1-2). We should behave this way so that all of us can
“grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ”
(Eph. 4:15). In the next verse he explains that growing is the
result of every person doing his part. Paul then transitions
into talking about the new man. He concludes this section by
revealing how the new man ought to treat his neighbor.
The end of chapter five and first part of chapter six deal with various relationships that are found within the body of Christ. Paul explains how wives and husbands should treat each other (Eph. 5:21-33); He tells children to honor and obey their parents (Eph. 6:1-2); and he tells slaves and bond-servants to do their work as if they were working for the Lord Himself (Eph. 6:5-7). How we treat each other is of great concern to Paul. We need to be working together, or even better-walking together.
Brent Moody
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