Walk in the way of love
Ephesians 5:1-2 - Knowing the depth of God’s love for us, shouldn’t that be motivation enough to live the way He wants us to?
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““Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV
At the end of Ephesians Chapter 4, Paul describes how Christians should relate to one another, saying:
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV
In today’s verses, Paul is continuing this train of thought in his letter to the Ephesians, and starts by telling them to “Follow God’s example … as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love.” This is at the heart of discipleship — emulating the character and actions of God through living a life of holiness, righteousness, and love. During the ministry of Jesus, His followers learned by watching what He did, and then replicated His behavior.
Reminding the Ephesians to follow God’s example is asking them to reflect all of God’s attributes — love, mercy, and justice foremost among them — in their daily lives.
Paul asks the readers of his epistle to think of themselves as God’s “dearly loved children”. At that time (as it should be now) children were brought up to learn from and emulate their parents, so the Ephesians would have understood their obligation as His beloved children to imitate God.
The Greek word translated here as “dearly loved” is ἀγαπητός (agapētos), which the Strongs Concordance defines as “beloved, esteemed, dear, favorite”. The Ephesians weren’t only God’s children, but His favorite children! That shows just how deep God’s love is for all of us who believe — with no strings attached and demonstrated by the sacrifice of Jesus for our salvation. Knowing the depth of God’s love for us, shouldn’t that be motivation enough to live the way He wants us to?
Paul goes on to ask the Ephesians to “walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us”. We’ve discussed the different types of love described in the Bible before — the word used here is ἀγάπη (agapé), which is defined as “brotherly love, benevolence”. Christ gave Himself up for us; Paul is asking that followers of Christ also display that kind of selfless love to others.
In David Guzik’s Enduring Word commentary on these verses, he states that:
i. We often think we could lay down our life in a dramatic way to show our love for others. But God often calls us to lay down our life little by little — in small coins (as it were) instead of one large payment — but it is laying down our lives nonetheless.
We may not be able to give up our lives for God in the way that Jesus did, but we can do so by committing small acts of love and charity each day. Paul goes on to describe how Jesus “gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” 18th Century biblical scholar Adam Clarke provided some explanation of the importance of the “fragrant offering and sacrifice”, as cited in the same Enduring Word commentary:
ii. Adam Clarke on an offering: “An oblation, an eucharistic offering; the same as minchah, Leviticus 2:1 and following, which is explained to be an offering made unto the Lord, of fine flour, with oil and frankincense. It means, any offering by which gratitude was expressed for temporal blessings received from the bounty of God.”
iii. Adam Clarke on a sacrifice: “A sin-offering, a victim for sin; the same as zebach, which almost universally means that sacrificial act in which the blood of an animal was poured out as an atonement for sin. These terms may be justly considered as including every kind of sacrifice, offering, and oblation made to God on any account.”
Paul is reminding Christians to emulate Christ’s selfless and sacrificial love in our daily lives. Walking is an active and ongoing process of moving forward through bodily motions; “walking in love” is also an active and ongoing process that requires both our intention and commitment to imitate Jesus.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Father in Heaven, I thank You that although I am in the world, I am not of this world. May I reflect the life and teachings of Jesus through holy living, godly behavior, grace-filled speech, gratitude for all You do for me, and forgiveness toward others. I pray that through the power of the Spirit I will learn to walk in love and my life become an offering that is pleasing to You. AMEN.