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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 251

"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma."

Text: Ephesians 5:2

THE USE OF THE WORD “WALK”

Once again, we see Paul using the word “walk” to describe the Christian lifestyle. His use of this word (“peripateo”) has been most instructive and challenging.

1. The former walk

Paul used this word to describe the old sinful lifestyle.

In which you once walked according to the course of this world,
according to the prince of the power of the air,
the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience…
EPHESIANS 2:2

2. The new walk

After conversion, the new believer should be careful to maintain a new lifestyle.

Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called…
EPHESIANS 4:1

3. Focus of this new walk

The focus of the new lifestyle is to be characterized by love.

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us…
EPHESIANS 5:2

THE WALK OF CHRIST THAT WE ARE CHALLENGED TO EMULATE

Paul singled out the love of Christ along very specific lines in this text. Let us take a close look at this text.

1. Love expressed in Sacrifice

What is the supreme test of love? Surely, the greatest expression of love must be found in Christ’s giving of Himself for us.

a) “Given Himself”

This was a single and complete love-gift. There was no holding back in any way. The ultimate expression of Christ’s love for us is found in His giving of Himself.

b) “For us”

This expression may also be rendered as “on behalf of us”. The sin penalty should be paid for by the sinner himself. Christ, knowing the gravity of the sin-problem, voluntarily gave of Himself to die “for us” (“on behalf of us”).

2. Challenged to love the brethren in similar fashion

The words of the apostle John come to mind readily, as we ponder this text.

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us.
And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1 JOHN 3:16