WALK IN LOVE

My hope is that as each of you read these posts, you take time to go deeper and reflect on what they mean to you personally. These posts are not meant to be the final word on anything. They simply reflect what I am learning and experiencing right now in my walk in God’s Word. You may see things differently in your own walk, and that is okay.

In Matthew 6, Jesus mentions how to live as a Christian internally which is to give freely/generously to the Church and other people (streets), to pray, to fast, to live a modest life with minimal luxuries or without chasing after luxuries, and to trust God each day.  Live for God today as tomorrow is evil to even think about.  In Galatians, Paul explains how to live in Liberty while walking with the Spirit in every step, breath and second of life. 

In Ephesians, Paul takes the message even further by addressing all followers (saints) of Christ.     The word “saints” appears nine times, and the word “walk” appears eight times.  Paul reminds us that we once walked according to this world filling the lusts of our body and mind.  We were all dead in our sins, but Jesus saved us through his blood, offering forgiveness by His rich grace and glory.    

Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God in heaven, far above anything this world has offered in the past, offers now, or ever will offer. He is above all.

Before moving forward, I want to address two important words found in Ephesians 1:5: “predestined” and “adoption.” These are distinct ideas. One way to understand “predestined” is that God, from the beginning, knew certain individuals would believe in Christ and walk in righteousness. At the same time, “adoption” shows that people can come to God and be brought into His family through redemption.

At the time Paul wrote Ephesians, believers were experiencing this adoption because Jesus had just died and risen again, making salvation available. Scripture also shows moments where God clearly set apart certain individuals such as Joseph, Mary, John the Baptist, Moses, the apostles, and Paul for specific purposes in establishing His plan.

It may be that God knows who will respond and who will not. After all, He knows the beginning and the end. That is how I currently understand it. 

In Chapter 2, Paul reminds us that salvation in Christ is through His grace through our faith and that is the gift of God.  We can’t work or earn our way into Heaven by being good.  Whether you are Jewish or gentile (non-Jewish), all have access to Christ through faith in Him.    

Chapters 4 through 6 start the heart of the Christian walk.  Paul describes a life that reflects what is mentioned here and in Galatians 5 about the fruits of the Spirit.  Jesus has called some people to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.  The word “some” is key, not everyone is called into these positions.  All believers need to do God’s will and plan for our lives by walking in the Spirit. 

Love is the foundation of the fruits of the Spirit.  We need to love God, ourselves and our neighbors.  Without Love, the other fruits lose their meaning.  Love is the foundation to Christ. 

Paul gives us strong warnings about behaviors that do not reflect life in the Spirit and lists the works of flesh in Galatians 5.  He also warns us that others may tempt us with vain or empty words.  Paul gets very deep by saying each day we live evil is all around us and we as Christians need to recognize this.  Paul gives us a list to live our daily lives externally. 

• Sing Praises and Worship God through your heart, giving thanks in all things.
• Submit to God and to others in humility. Wives are called to submit to their husbands, and husbands are called to love their wives sacrificially, as Christ loves the Church.
• Children are to obey their parents so that life may go well with them.
• Fathers are to nurture their children in the Lord without provoking them.
• Workers should work hard and honestly towards their employer as if serving the Lord.
• Employers and leaders should treat others with fairness and encouragement.
• Finally, we are to be strong in the Lord, put on the full armor of God, pray asking God to guide, protect and secure us each day as He watches over us. 

Paul’s letters in Galatians and Ephesians are powerful teachings on what it means to live as a Christian.  Next week we will continue to study the letters by Paul with Philippians followed by Colossians.