Young People's Group

The Challenge to Walk in Love

by Mitchell Tan
September 09, 2020

WALKING BY MEANS OF LOVE

One of the ways to imitate God is by walking in love. This was a strong entreaty from Paul.

“And walk in love …”
Ephesians 5:2

The conjunction “and” in this phrase connects the idea of being imitators of God to walking in love. The Ephesians were to reflect the image of God by practising love to one another. The word “walk” comes from the Greek word “peripateo”. It has the idea of a way of life. The Ephesians were to live by means of love; a life driven by love and a life expressed in love. So wherever the Ephesians “walked” in life, they were to practise love. Even as we live our lives, we should do it by means of love.

BY MEANS OF LOVE THAT IS CHRIST-CENTRED

1. THE LORD’S LOVE EXPRESSED IN SACRIFICIAL GIVING OF HIMSELF

“… As Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us …”
Ephesians 5:2

The adverb “as” denotes the idea of manner. The Lord’s great love for us is the perfect example for us to follow after. Paul had made a declaration of the fact of the Lord’s love. This was followed by the fact of the demonstration of His love. The Lord Jesus gave His life selflessly for our sins. It is through His sacrifice on the cross that we are saved. The use of the conjunction “and” in this part of the sentence denotes that love and sacrificial action go together. It was love that drove Him to die for us. The Lord’s kind of love is indeed one that resulted in great selflessness and total sacrifice.

2. THE LORD’S SACRIFICE IN FULFILMENT OF THE RIGHTEOUS REQUIREMENT OF THE LAW

“… An offering and a sacrifice to God …”
Ephesians 5:2

The Lord’s act of love is seen as a free-will offering to God. The use of the conjunction “and” in this sentence explains further the idea of offering. It is also a sacrifice that is holy and without blemish before God. The Lord Jesus is also known as the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). It is a sacrifice that is meant to fulfil the righteous requirement of the law.

3. THE LORD’S SACRIFICE AS THE ULTIMATE ATONEMENT FOR SINS

“… For a sweet-smelling aroma.”
Ephesians 5:2

This Lord’s sacrifice on the cross became a sweet-smelling offering to God that would appease Him. His death was to bring about atonement for all our sins. He died once and for all that forgiveness of sins and redemption can come to us through Him. The Lord Jesus was that ultimate sacrifice to atone for the sins of the world.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

Let’s appreciate profoundly the Lord’s love in giving us salvation and let’s be moved by it. May we be stirred to love one another as the Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated His great love in atoning for our sins! Let’s seek to walk by means of love whether in school, at home or with our brethren at Bethany.

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