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A Christian’s Daily Walk

(From Ephesians)

by Bryan Gibson

February 26, 2010

WALK “no longer…as the rest of the Gentiles walk” (4:17), or even the way you “once” walked (2:1-3; 4:22). Now that you’ve “learned Christ” (4:20-21), you know better; you know how you’re supposed to behave. “Put off...the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts...and put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (4:22, 24).

WALK in the “good works which God prepared beforehand” (2:10). This is the very purpose for which you were “created in Christ Jesus,” so don’t mess with the design—either by not walking in these good works, or by trying to substitute your works for His.

“WALK worthy of the calling with which you were called” (4:1). God’s call to you includes several demands: to be united with all believers in one body (1:10; 2:14-16); to be holy and without blame (1:4); to show to others the riches of God’s grace and wisdom (2:7; 3:10). Do your best to answer His call for you, because you sure don’t want to miss out on the “hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:4; 1:18).

“WALK in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us” (5:2). Love the Lord “in sincerity” (6:24), and show “love for all the saints” (1:15). To show the love of Christ to your brethren, you’ll have to “let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice” (4:31). On the positive side, or the “new man” side, you’ll need to be “kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another” (4:32). This kind of love applies in the home, too, especially to you husbands: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (5:25). And, it also applies when you go out to teach the lost. Speak the truth “boldly” (6:19), but speak it “in love” (4:15). Do it the way Christ did it.

“WALK as children of light” (5:8). You were “once darkness” (5:8), but not any longer, so “have no fellowship with the fruits of darkness, but rather expose them” (5:11). Take the light you’ve received from Christ (5:14), and shine it on others. It will “make manifest” (5:13), or obvious, their sins, and yes, it may make them mad, but it may also bring them to Christ.

“WALK circumspectly,” or carefully (5:15). Your window of opportunity to make a difference in the world doesn’t last very long, so don’t waste it—“making the most of your time, because the days are evil” (5:16). Don’t waste your time by acting like a fool (5:15), by being “unwise” or ignorant of God’s will (5:17), by being “drunk with wine” (5:18). Spend your time understanding “what the will of the Lord is” (5:17), and instead of being filled with wine, “be filled with the Spirit” (5:18).