Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. 2 And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.3 But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of[a] among you, as is proper for saints. 4 Coarse and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. 5 For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of the Messiah and of God.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things.[b] 7 Therefore, do not become their partners. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light— 9 for the fruit of the light[c] results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth— 10 discerning what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them.
-Ephesians 5:1-11 (HCSB)
Paul is teaching the church at Ephesus the proper way that Christians should walk in this sin filled world. It's a great reminder to us, as well. He says, in verse 1, "Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children." We must live as imitators of God. That means we must do those things which God would do. Verse 2 gives us an example, "And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God." If we are going to be imitators of God to our fallen world, we must walk in love. We must walk in love, because that is how Jesus walked. Paul goes on in verses 3-5 to teach what things we must avoid. "sexual immorality, impurity, greed, coarse and foolish talking, crude joking." These are not examples of walking in love. Sexual immorality will hurt someone. Greed will hurt someone. Foolish talking, crude joking-they will hurt someone. Hurt and love do not go hand in hand.
Finally, in verse 8, Paul reminds them, "For you were once darkness, but now you are the light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." At one time, we walked in things like sexual immorality, greed, impurity and the like. But now, we are to walk as children of God. Are you walking in love today? Or are you still walking around in the darkness of sin? Think About It.
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