Walk in Love
Ephesians 5: 1-2
Take a moment to consider those who have greatly impacted your life. Surely, we have all had a family member, friend, or mentor that we looked-up to, someone whose influence created a desire for us to become like them. For me, it was my grand-father. My childhood was difficult following the separation and divorce of my parents. My grand-father became my role model, my mentor, and counselor. As I watched his life, I had a compelling desire to be like him – I wanted to be the man he had become.
Likely, in our spiritual lives, there has been at least one person who has impacted your life, creating a desire to develop the kind of walk with the Lord that closely resembled theirs. For me, there have been many. I still have mentors and friends, whom I admire, that continually challenge my walk with the Lord.
Each of these mentors are beneficial in our lives, especially during our formative years. Paul well understood the need and benefit of godly mentors. He served as a mentor to Timothy, Titus, and others as he walked with the Lord. While each of these have their place, none can compare to the influence of our heavenly Father. In our text today, Paul urges the Ephesian believers to be imitators of God, our Father. Others can be beneficial, but the Father sets the ultimate example every believer should strive to pursue.
As we move through this fifth chapter, Paul will reveal several ways in which we are to imitate the Father. Our text today reveals exhortations to: Walk in Love.
I. The Commitment Expected (1) – Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children. As we examine this simple statement, we cannot miss the commitment is demands. Paul declares we are to be followers of God. One must pause to reflect on the connection made between this declaration and the former thoughts revealed in the previous chapter. Paul had spoken much about obligations and responsibilities as believers living and walking among the world. In light of those obligations, we are therefore expected to be followers of God as His dear children. Let’s consider this commitment a bit closer. Notice:
A. The Admonition (1a) – Be ye therefore followers of God. That seems simple enough, but Paul speaks of great significance here. The word followers literally means to be imitators. We are admonished to imitate the God we serve. That is a very tall order. Time will not permit, nor do we have the ability to comprehend all that He is, but we must strive to imitate our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Matt.5:48 – Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Lev.19:2 – Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy. 2 Cor.3:18 – But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 1 Pet.1:15 – But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.
We will never obtain sinless perfection in this life, but we must strive to imitate the Lord we serve. We must seek His holiness each day, denying the flesh, and striving for maturity in Christ. Those whom we invest in are not seeking perfection; but they are seeking sincerity and a genuine desire to maintain a godly life.
B. The Identification (1b) – Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children. Paul revealed a compelling reason for such commitment to following the Lord, literally imitating Him – we are His dear children, beloved by the Father. We have been adopted into the family of God – those who were outside of the favor and mercy of God, have now been placed within the family. We have been adopted of the Father and belong to Him. Eph.1:5-6 – Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. We are His dear children, and by adoption through His grace, He is now our heavenly Father. Rom.8:15 – For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
It is natural that children bear characteristics of their father. When the father presents a witness of character and integrity, the children do well to imitate the life and walk of their father. How much more should we feel compelled to imitate the righteous example of God our Father? As His dear children, we are expected to imitate Him, becoming more like Him as we grow and mature in our faith.
II. The Challenge Expressed (2) – And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. As we imitate the Father, following His will for our lives and striving to live in obedience, Paul reveals another challenge for the believer to emulate. Those who follow the Lord must seek to walk in accordance to His plans and purposes. Christ left the example for us to follow. Paul speaks of:
A. The Path to Walk (2a) – And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us. Again, we find a simple statement with profound implications. Paul does not refer solely to the steps we take as we journey through life, although that is part of it. Our journey must be guided by the Lord, and we must walk in a way that pleases Him. The greater context here speaks of our entire manner of life. Regardless of our location or whomever we encounter, the gracious love of Christ must be evident in our lives. 1 John 3:18 – My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. Our lives must consistently show the love of Christ if we are to be an effective witness and make a beneficial impact on others. 1 Tim.4:12 – Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Let’s look a bit closer at the text. The word translated love is the Greek word agape. This is God’s eternal, unmerited, unchanging love. It speaks of God doing what is best for us, even when it is not necessarily what we desire. It is, in essence, perfect love. This provides valuable insight to discipleship. You don’t always have to agree with someone to love them. Genuine love will provide a gracious rebuke when necessary. It seeks maturity and eternal benefit in the relationship more than immediate comfort.
We are to walk in love as Christ loved us. Think about that for a moment. His love is sacrificial, giving Himself for the need of others. His love is without boundaries. It is not limited to those who are familiar, kind, or even receptive. The love of Christ is extended to all people. He loved us when we were unlovable. He became sin so that we could be forgiven of sin. He endured the righteous judgment of God in our place. We were guilty, deserving of wrath, and He endured our punishment for us! If we will determine to live our lives in love as Christ loved, we will have the credibility we need to gain the respect of others. In loving them as Christ does, we will have the ability to overlook their faults and failures as we strive to lead them into a greater knowledge of Christ.
B. The Pattern to Follow (2b) – And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God…Paul reminds the reader of the great sacrifice that Christ made on our behalf. He gave himself as an offering and a sacrifice to God. The word “offering” refers to the burnt offering of the Old Testament (Lev. 1:1f). The burnt offering was given to God not merely because of sin, but because a person wished to glorify and honor God. A person wished to show his love and adoration to God. As Christ atoned for our sin, He not only desired to provide for our redemption, but above all, He desired to honor and glorify the Father.
As we consider this great pattern of love that we are expected to follow, the enormity of the task is evident. I do not imply that we could possibly love as Christ did, nor do I imply that we can offer such a significant and perfect sacrifice. However, the pattern we are to follow is clear. Above all else, Christ desired to glorify the Father. As we walk in the love of Christ, giving of ourselves for the good of others, we not only provide a blessing to those around us, we also bring glory and honor to the Father. At the end of the day, that is our main priority in life – we are here upon this earth to glorify God. If we accomplish that, and walking in the love of Christ will equip us to do so, we will live pleasing unto the Lord. John 13:34-35 – A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
C. The Provision to Remember (2c) – And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. As we discussed, the love of Christ has no bounds. He offered Himself a sacrifice to God in order to obtain our redemption. Love directed the life of Christ. Love led Him to the cross of Calvary. Love compelled Him to surrender completely to the Father’s will for our salvation. Love caused Christ to place the great need of humanity above His own. Surely His flesh did not look forward to the suffering of the cross, but He endured it with great joy, knowing it would provide our salvation and reconciliation to God. Heb.12:2 – Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
This sacrificial life, motivated by love, was a sweet-smelling fragrance to God. He was well pleased with the obedience of the Son. When we walk in love, as Christ loves, our lives also please God. If our lives are pleasing to the Lord, we have the assurance of His guidance and blessing. We need not fear striving in our own abilities. We have the presence and power of the Spirit working in us. God will honor those who are willing to offer themselves in service to Him. Remember, when we abide in the Vine, we possess the ability to produce much fruit.
Conclusion: Our text has been simple enough to understand and very straightforward. While it is easy to comprehend, it can be difficult to practice in daily life. Are you following the Lord, walking in the love of Christ, and producing a sweet-smelling fragrance for the Lord? If not, come to Him for the help and guidance you need. These are not mere suggestions; they are expectations for every believer. If you have never experienced the abounding love of Christ in salvation, come to Him in repentance and faith and be saved today!
