August 3, 2003
THE CHRISTIANS WALK IN EPHESIANS
The believers’ walk is an interesting study in the book of Ephesians. There are seven areas where the believers’ walk is stressed. Let’s take a look.
Ephesians 2:1-3. And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly WALKED according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
A NEW LIFE WALK - Once we were dead in sins-separated from God. When we receive Jesus Christ as Savior, we enter into a new life and consequently a new life walk.
Ephesians 2:8-10 – For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should WALK in them.
A GOOD WORK WALK – Christians are new creations in Christ - specifically designated to walk in good works – a new life, good work walk.
Ephesians 4:1 – I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord entreat you to WALK in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.
A WORTHY WALK –We as believers are not worthy within ourselves to live for God. However, Jesus Christ has called each of us to walk in a manner worthy of His name. The Holy Spirit is the sole enabler of this worthy walk.
Ephesians 4:17,18 – This I say therefore, and affirm together with the Lord. That you WALK no longer just as the gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart.
AN ENLIGHTENED WALK – When we were without Christ, we walked in spiritual darkness. Now in Christ we are enlightened. We walk an enlightened walk.
Ephesians 5:1,2 –Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children and WALK in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
A LOVE WALK - We all know human love – but no one can know God’s love until that love lives in our hearts (cf Romans 5:5). That love is to govern our walk.
Ephesians 5:8 –For you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord, WALK as children of light.
A LIGHT WALK – When in darkness we walked in darkness. Now we are in the
light of God. Therefore we walk in that light. The Word of God enlightens our path
(Psalm 119:105).
Ephesians 5:15,16 –Therefore, be careful how you WALK, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
A WISE WALK – In our unsaved state we were considered unwise in God’s sight. Now in Christ Jesus we are considered by God to be wise. We have Christ’s wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30).
Imagine a field covered with freshly fallen snow. Off to the one side
you notice two figures entering the field.
The first is larger than the second – perhaps they are a father and his
son. As they walk across the field, you
notice that the father pays no particular attention to where he is going, but
his son, on the other hand, follows directly behind, making a special effort to
step in his father’s footprints. After
the two figures pass off the scene, you notice that here is only one set of
tracks visible in the field, although two people had walked across it. The Christian life is that way. In our daily walk we ought to be following
Christ’s example, particularly in times when we are suffering. If someone were to observe the snow-covered
fields of your life, would there be one set of tracks, those of Christ? Or would he see two sets, one belonging to
Christ and the other distinctly yours?
So you see, beloved, the believers’ walk should correspond to our standing in Christ. At least we should be working on it. God bless.
Love to you all,