Ephesians 5.1-14 (7)
Pray Psalm 84.5-7.
Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
They make it a spring;
The rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength;
Each one appears before God in Zion.
Sing Psalm 84.5-7.
(Holy Manna: Brethren, We Have Met to Worship)
Blessed are they whose strength is founded in Your strength, O LORD above.
All whose hearts in You are grounded journey in Your strength and love.
Though they weep with tears of sadness, grace shall all their way sustain.
In Your Presence, filled with gladness, they shall conquer all their pain.
Read Ephesians 5.1-14; meditate on verses 1, 2, 8.
Why does Paul describe our Christian life as walking?
Preparation
1. What is “fitting for saints” such as we?
2. What should be the nature of our relationship with “darkness”?
Meditation
Walking is one of Paul’s favorite ways of referring to the Christian life. We see that verb used three times in this chapter, verses 2, 8, and 15. It appears 29 other times in his epistles to refer to a way of life, either that of Christians or that of those who yet dwell in darkness.
Here, we are to walk in love. That is, love should be the defining attribute of our daily lives, following the example of Jesus. This means giving thanks in all things (v. 4) and resisting everything that is contrary to life in the Kingdom of God (vv. 3-5) and being on guard against empty and deceitful words (vv. 6, 7).
But walking in love, as children of light, means bearing fruit consistent with the Holy Spirit and pleasing to the Lord (vv. 8-10). And, having no fellowship—no participation whatsoever—with the works of darkness. Not allowing them to have any dulling and deadening presence in our lives (vv. 10-14).
We are saints, after all. We have been redeemed, adopted, sealed with the Holy Spirit. We set our minds on the exalted Jesus and He is building us into His glorious Body. How else would we think about this journey through life, except as walking with, enjoying, and serving Him with gladness and gratitude?
So take up your walking stick for the day ahead, and mind how you go.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Nature versus nurture is a longstanding debate in biology and society about the relative influence on human beings of their genetic inheritance and the environmental condition of their development (so says the ever-changing and questionably reliable Wikipedia; but in this instance we will go with their definition because it suits).
Add to this mix of nurture and nature the Holy Spirit’s influence on a person’s life; and said person’s desire to imitate God in every thought and deed (Eph. 5.1) and one begins to see the wisdom of the words to “walk in love” and “walk as children of light” (Eph. 5.2, 8). It is an ongoing work that must be tended to daily.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart;
try me, and know my anxieties; and
see if there is any wicked way in me, and
lead me in the way everlasting” (Ps. 139.23, 24).
Tithing ten percent of all we have is a commandment that can be fulfilled by simply doing it.
We may not always have a perfect attitude about it; but it is something that frankly must be done.
“Will a man rob God?” (Mal. 3.8) I think not. Granted, tithing with a good attitude is far more enjoyable for the giver and it also pleases God. “…for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9.7).
Obedience to God must be done; no questions or equivocations about it.
Thus “imitating God” must be done by walking in love as children of light.
Nature, nurture, and the Holy Spirit, working together, will one day make our obedience authentic.
I am not calling for hypocrisy or play-acting of the Christian life, as that is disingenuous to do and appalling to behold. And it is sin (Rom. 12.9; Jms. 3.17; 1 Pet. 2.1).
But what I am suggesting is this truth: giving thanks is obedient, and more often than not, actual thankfulness follows in its wake. Showing respect and deference to another often leads to feeling respect. Curbing hatred keeps murder at bay. Not coveting leads to not stealing. Being forcefully faithful allows no place for adultery. Never telling a lie keeps honesty at the forefront.
Doing what is right, whether we feel like it or not, cuts a new groove in our lives that begins to play more naturally as time goes on. There is not another option.
For truly, we once were darkness, living in darkness, and doing dark things; but now we are light, living in light, and doing light things in the Lord (Eph. 5.8).
We have found out what is acceptable to the Lord (Eph. 5.10).
The choice is ours. Walk in love with Jesus. Imitate God. And mind how you go.
Reflection
1. In what ways do you find your Christian life to be like a “walk”?
2. How would you explain what it means to “walk in love” to a new believer?
3. What are some ways to keep the darkness at bay in your walk with the Lord?
Walk as children of light, as having knowledge and holiness. These works of darkness are unfruitful, whatever profit they may boast; for they end in the destruction of the impenitent sinner. There are many ways of abetting, or taking part in the sins of others; by commendation, counsel, consent, or concealment. And if we share with others in their sins, we must expect to share in their plagues. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Ephesians 5.8Pray Psalm 84.1-4, 8-12.
Offer yourself as a living sacrifice to the Lord. Set your mind in prayer on the glory that is to be revealed when we see Jesus face-to-face, and, focusing on Him enthroned in glory now, call on Him for strength, protection, and good work to do for this day.
Sing Psalm 84.1-4, 8-12.
(Holy Manna: Brethren, We Have Met to Worship)
LORD of hosts, how sweet Your dwelling; how my soul longs for Your courts!
Let my soul with joy keep telling of Your grace forevermore.
Like a bird upon the altar, let my life to You belong.
Blessed are they who never falter as they praise Your grace with song!
LORD of hosts, my prayer receiving, hear me, help me by Your grace!
In Your courts I stand believing; turn to me Your glorious face!
LORD, our sun, our shield, our glory, no good thing will You deny
to those who proclaim Your story, and who on Your grace rely.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest: This week: In our ReVision series on “The Kingdom Economy” we are looking at the place of God’s Law in the life of the Church. Our Read Moore podcast continues working through The Gospel of the Kingdom, looking for the true Gospel of the Lord. The Crosfigell teaching letter is pursuing the life of Brigit, a contemporary of Brendan. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
