Walking as Dear Children

(#893, Imperial, 1960)

Read Ephesians 5:1-2.

This "practical" section of Ephesians is in 3 parts:

w    The calling of the Christian, 4:1-16.

w    The conduct of the Christian, 4:17-6:9.

w    The conflict of the Christian, 6:10-24.

ƒ      The essence of our walk: imitate God, v1.

This is associated with the previous chapter where Paul urged the example of God in the matter of forgiveness.  Now he urges it in a more general sense.  This is consistent with the frequent exhortations to exhibit God's likeness (1 Peter 2:21; Matt. 11:29).

How do we do this?  We must do it as "dear children".

    1.  The new birth: "children" suggests that we are begotten of God.  We are partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).

    2.  Dear (beloved): we do this with affection and love toward the Father.

    3.  We imitate Him through continual association (2Co. 3:18).

    4.  Imitation is the product of dying (2 Cor. 4:8-11).

ƒ      The motive of our walk: love, v2.

The Ephesian church was the one that left it's first love (Rev. 2:4).  Yet much is said of love in this epistle (1:4,15; 2:4; 3:17,19; 4:2,15,16; 5:2,25; 6:23,24). 

This love is measured by Christ's love (v2; John 12:12; 13:34; Eph. 5:25).  Love is the greatest commandment.

Love is here described as a "sacrifice" for Christ gave Himself up out of love (Gal. 2:20).

ƒ      The effect of our walk: sweet-smelling sacrifice, v2.

As Christ's sacrifice is a sweet-smelling aroma, so the life lived out of His love is also acceptable to God. 

Present your bodies to God as a living sacrifice.