FOLLOW GOD'S EXAMPLE

Passage: Ephesians 5:1-14

Key verse: 1

NIV

5 1 Follow God’s example,(A) therefore, as dearly loved children(B) 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us(C) and gave himself up for us(D) as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.(E)

3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,(F) or of any kind of impurity, or of greed,(G) because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk(H) or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.(I) 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater(J)—has any inheritance(K) in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a](L) 6 Let no one deceive you(M) with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath(N) comes on those who are disobedient.(O) 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

8 For you were once(P) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light(Q) 9 (for the fruit(R) of the light consists in all goodness,(S) righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.(T) 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,(U) but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light(V) becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,(W)
    rise from the dead,(X)
    and Christ will shine on you.”(Y)

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Ephesians 5:5 Or kingdom of the Messiah and God
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Walk in Love

5 (A)Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And (B)walk in love, (C)as Christ loved us and (D)gave himself up for us, a (E)fragrant (F)offering and sacrifice to God.

3 But (G)sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness (H)must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be (I)no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, (J)which are out of place, but instead (K)let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that (L)everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous ((M)that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 (N)Let no one (O)deceive you with empty words, for because of these things (P)the wrath of God comes upon (Q)the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore (R)do not become partners with them; 8 for (S)at one time you were (T)darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. (U)Walk as children of light 9 (for (V)the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and (W)try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 (X)Take no part in the (Y)unfruitful (Z)works of darkness, but instead (AA)expose them. 12 For (AB)it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when (AC)anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

(AD)“Awake, O sleeper,
    and (AE)arise from the dead,
and (AF)Christ will shine on you.”

Read full chapter
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Walk in love (1,2)

In the previous chapter, Paul urged believers to keep unity and to live in holiness. To do so, they need to follow God's example described in chapters 1-3 and walk in love. Christ followed God's example by loving sinners and dying on behalf of them who had no love for him. His love and sacrifice became a fragrant aroma to God. In the same way, as followers of God's example, we must be willing to demonstrate sacrificial love for others that is a fragrant offering to God. Love, to be real before God, must cost.

2. Live as children of light (3-14)

In the lives of God's people, there should be no place for evil practices such as immorality, impurity, greed, obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking that invite God's wrath. We are changed people who are no longer darkness, but light in the Lord. So instead of backsliding into darkness, we should live as children of light who seek for the fruit of the light such as goodness, righteousness and truth, and for what please the Lord. God created everything to bear fruit and our life-fruit will be determined by how we live.

Prayer: Lord, help us walk in love by following Jesus' example and to live for the fruit of the light.

One Word: Just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us