Walking in Love in Ephesians 5

Read Ephesians Chapter 5

Introduction: Ephesians 5 teaches us practical instructions for living a life worthy of our calling as Christians, we are called by the Lord to live guided by a higher moral compass. It exhorts believers to walk in love, light, and wisdom, building peaceful and loving relationships within the family, as well as the place we live. Paul emphasizes the importance of imitating God and Christ in our actions, the transformation from darkness to light, and the mutual submission and respect necessary within the marital bond. Through this chapter’s guidance, the Apostle Paul provides a blueprint for believers to follow, encouraging them to be examples of Christ’s love to the world, today in year 2024.

I. Walk in Love (Ephesians 5:1-2)
In the first verses, Paul calls us to imitate God’s love, just as beloved children model their behavior after their parents. We are encouraged to walk in love, following the example of Christ, who gave himself up as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. This selfless act is the ultimate example of love. We see in the gospel of John 13:34, where Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us, in this world, love is the way that would cure all the ills of the present day. At the end of the day, Christianity is all about love as read in 1 John 4:19, which explains that we love because He first loved us, even when we were unlovely sinners and knew not God. Also in Romans 12:1, the apostle Paul urges believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.

II. Forsake Immorality and Embrace the Light (Ephesians 5:3-14)
Here in these verses, Paul warns against sexual immorality, impurity, and greed, foolish talking, covetousness, labeling them as the wrong thing to do for God’s holy people. We see in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, the Bible warns against sexual immorality and reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, one sins against their own bodies with this type of iniquity. Also in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, the Bible mentions the same subject,  it is God’s will is for us to be sanctified and avoid sexual immorality. Instead, God’s children should focus be on thanksgiving and gratefulness. These verses stresses that such sins have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Believers are encouraged to live as children of light, producing goodness, righteousness, and truth, as Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, encouraging us to let our light shine before others.

III. Live Wisely and Spirit-filled (Ephesians 5:15-20)
In these verses, Paul gives the advice to believers to be careful in how they live, making the most of every opportunity because we live in an evil world.  Colossians 4:5 also teaches us to walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of time. We should understand the Lord’s will, not be foolish, and avoid drunkenness, which leads to debauchery. Instead, we are to be filled with the Spirit, showing our faith through songs, hymns, and spiritual songs, always giving thanks to God. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, the Bible instructs  us to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. And in Acts 2:4, we read about the filling of the Holy Spirit and speaking in other tongues, praising God in other tongues.

IV. Marriage as a Reflection of Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:21-33)
In the last section of the chapter, Paul uses the relationship between husbands and wives as an example of Christ’s relationship with the church. Wives are called to submit to their husbands as the church submits to Christ, which we can also read in Colossians 3:18-19, these verses calls for wives to submit to husbands. Husbands are instructed to love their wives as Christ loved the church, sacrificing Himself for her sanctification, which can also be read in 1 Peter 3:7, it says the wife is a co heir with the husband. Marriage is revealed as a profound mystery that refers to Christ and the church. Also in  Revelation 19:7-9, the Bible shows the ultimate marriage, the marriage of the Lamb as the church (all of us) prepares to meet Christ.

Conclusion: Ephesians 5 gives us instructions for Christians to imitate God’s love, turn away from darkness, live wisely, and nurture a marriage that mirrors the relationship between Christ and the church. It is a chapter filled with practical Christian living advice, encouraging believers to be imitators of God in every aspect of life. By walking in love, forsaking immorality, living wisely, and honoring the sacredness of marriage, we can truly show the light of Christ to a world that desperately needs His hope and truth.