Ephesians 4 – 6 give us clear instructions of application of the doctrine Paul delivered in the first three chapters. Today, we dug into the first 17 verses of chapter 5. Paul calls for us to
1. Walk in love (unconditional agape love) – V.1-7
Paul contrasts the life of self-sacrifice of the new man (love-- the first manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit...Galatians 5:22-23) and the life of self-indulgence revealed in the old man / the flesh. 1 Corinthians 3:1-15 and 2 Corinthians 5:7-10 clarify that any service performed in “the flesh” has no eternal value. It is defined as wood, hay, and stubble in 1 Corinthians 3, and declared as “bad” works in 2 Corinthians 5. Paul compels us to put the young, weaker believers ahead of our own desires.
Romans 15:1: We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.2. Walk as children of light – V.8-14
Paul compels us to live “acceptable” lives unto the Lord, reproving the unfruitful works of darkness. Walking in the light is something that can only be done in the “new man” who is created in righteousness and true holiness.
1 John 1:7: If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
3. Walk with diligence – V.15-17
Lastly, we are commanded to walk in wisdom, and redeem the time we are given to build the kingdom of God by edifying the brethren. It is God's will that we be conformed to Christ, walking in the Spirit and not fulfilling the lusts of the flesh and mind. We are to live everyday remembering to keep our focus on eternal values. Colossians 3:1-4Every attitude and every action matters!Romans 12:1-2: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31: Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 15:57-58: But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Colossians 3:17: And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
