How’s Your Walk?

Read Ephesians 5:1-21

Introduction

These passages, at face value, remind us that what we do and do not do matters. However, when we take a deep dive, we discover they point less to how we walk than to who we’re walking with. The closer we walk with God, the more our desire and appetite for sinful behavior will fade.

You, who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD and give thanks at the remembrance of His name. Psalm 97:10-12 NKJV.

Walk in Love

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God, for a sweet-smelling aroma. Ephesians 5:2 NKJV.

God is love. Walk in it. Christ loves us so purely that He gave Himself up for us. In turn, give yourself up for Him.

To love God, we must die to ourselves while continuing our fellowship with Him daily. His love permeates the depths of your soul, preserving you for Himself. You carry not only the fragrance of His presence but also the aroma of His love.

Honestly, those who love God hate evil — sexual vice, all uncleanness, or covetousness. They are unwilling to remove the garment of praise for the clothing of darkness.

Walking in love is walking in a way contrary to the ways of the flesh, the world, and the enemy of your soul. Are filthiness, foolish talk, and coarse jesting found in a life with God? Those who walk in this way do not know God, and they have no inheritance in the kingdom of God.

Sex, sex, and more sex drive the motives and desires of the world. They mistake it for love, and then, without an ounce of shame, abort the product of their free love.

People wrap their identities around sexual orientation. “Are you heterosexual, bisexual, homosexual, or asexual?”

You, who walk with the Lord, find your identity in Him. You walk in love, so those things are useless to you. They are far from your concern. So, do not allow anyone to deceive you with empty words as if there is no greater pleasure — no greater love than sexual pleasure.

God loves you, and, truth be told, He loves the world as well. It’s not a culture war but a war on the soul. The LORD gives them every opportunity to repent and turn to Him. Seeking and saving the lost remains a priority for the Lord. The Holy Spirit still moves to show our need for a Savior. Yet the wrath of God is real. The sons and daughters of disobedience will realize the consequences of aligning with the world, themselves, and the adversary on Judgment Day. There was a way out, and they refused to take it.

His love for the world lives in us, and this love shines a light into a dark and dreary land.

Walk in Light

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth). Ephesians 5:8-9 NKJV.

As children of light, you have no darkness when you walk in the light. As you walk with God in the Spirit of love, you will find what is acceptable to Him and walk in it.

Light always outshines the darkness. Darkness hides the truth, but the light uncovers it. We do not have fellowship with the unfruitful work of darkness; we expose it.

People do shameful things in secret. But when someone exposes a lie, the truth shines forth. As we walk in the light, God reveals the truth.

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who perish. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. II Corinthians 2:14-15, NKJV.

As you walk in love and light, you will carry an aroma. To those who know Christ, it is sweet, but to those who are perishing, it is a stench — death leading to death. If the world hated Christ who walked among us, then it should come as no surprise if they hate you who carry the very scent of His presence.

When you walk in love and light, you take the good path—the perfect path that the Lord has set for you. Your destiny differs from the world’s. Live in love by forgiving those who harm you. Live in the light by exposing the lies of darkness.

Forgive them; they do not know what they are doing. The Lord tells them, “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

We walk not only in love and light but in wisdom.

Walk in Wisdom

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 NKJV.

Wisdom is not something we earn a degree in, but the measured degree of wisdom we gain is the fruit of our consistent fellowship with the Holy One: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit ushers us into the presence of Father God, and we remain there because of Christ’s atoning love. The Triune God works in your spirit, soul, and body as you yield to Him.

The Secret Place, behind closed doors, is more than a treasured place. Here, the Holy Spirit comes to teach, correct, rebuke, and instruct us on how to walk with God. The indwelling Spirit fills you, and you remain in Christ, and Christ remains in you.

Scripture is illuminated, and the mind is transformed. Once you breathe the breath of God, you are gaining the wisdom of the Ancient of days — the Almighty of God. Your heart burns within you, and in the awe of His presence, you learn the true meaning of the fear of the LORD.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 NIV.

Walk in love, light, and wisdom.

When we walk with God in love, light, and wisdom, we consider the circumstances and consequences of our actions and choices. We look around with caution. How can you understand the times you live in if you forget our times are in His hands?

… Surely, I will pour out My Spirit on you; I will make My words known to you. Proverbs 1:23b NKJV.

Wisdom is the ability to discern and act according to God’s revealed will in Scripture. It is a valuable asset given to the children of light. The yielded heart will find God, and the Father will give us wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to help us walk in love, light, and wisdom.

… If you abide in My word, you are my disciple indeed. As you shall know the truth and the truth all make you free. John 8:31b-32 NKJV.

In Conclusion

As I noted in the introduction, these passages are more about whom we walk with and less about what we do. The “with God” life makes all the difference in the world.,

So, how’s your walk?

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him. Colossians 2:6 NKJV.

You are God’s chosen people; go and walk in it.

May the Lord bless and keep you...