Walking As Dear Children of God

Today, I would like you to consider the four commands found in Ephesians 5:1-17 that are vital to keep in mind during these unique world circumstances:

"Be Imitators of God as Dear Children" (v1)

Everything we love and appreciate from God: His love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, generosity, etc. are all things that the world need to see and know. How will they come to know it? Through us! 

When we lovingly, respectfully emulate these attributes of God - love (John 15:9-12), mercy (Luke 6:27-36), grace (Ephesians 4:29-32), forgiveness (Colossians 3:12-14), generosity (2 Corinthians 9:6-8) - God will be glorified, and people in darkness will have their eyes opened to the Light and all the goodness found within it!!

"Walk In Love" (v2) 

Christ loved us to the point of death - He willingly died so that we might live - that's how much He loved us! God wants us to conform to the image of His Son, to make whatever sacrifices are necessary (Romans 12:1-2), to walk as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6). 

While Ephesians 5:3-7 instructs us what to avoid so we are not hindered in our walk of love, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 tells us exactly what love in action looks like. You can readily replace "love" in that chapter with "God" or "Jesus" and see why we should try our very best to be imitators of God and walk as Jesus walked! The world needs to see more kindly patience, more contented joy and less envy, more rejoicing and less rudeness!

"Walk As Children of Light"  (v8)

We were once darkness, lost in sin, but God called us out of darkness (through the gospel, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14) and into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9)! We need to walk as children of light, finding out what is acceptable to the Lord through continued study of His word (2 Timothy 3:16-17), through application and obedience of His instructions and commands (James 1:21-25), through continued meeting with other Christians in worship services and bible studies (2 Timothy 2:22, Hebrews 10:23-25)! 

We need to be 'lighting the way' for those still in darkness, pointing them toward Jesus and God, our loving Father! We should be guiding them toward the gospel so that they too can hear and believe! Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:14-16 that we are "the light of the world" and to "let [our] light so shine among men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." The world will see God through us when walk as children of light, reflecting His light into the darkness by doing good works, showing kindnesses, and being caring citizens especially during these circumstances we find ourselves in!

"Walk Carefully, In Wisdom" (v15)

God wants us to make good use of our time. We don't know how long we have; we don't know what tomorrow will bring. We need to be wise, understanding what the will of the Lord is (v17), redeeming the time - make the most of Today (Hebrews 3:13) - because the days are evil (v16). 

Does that mean we should follow our every whim to 'live our best life'? 

No, we know the best life in only found in Jesus (John 10:10; 15:11, Ephesians 1:3-14)!

Does that mean that because of the quarantine and closure of church buildings that we can now treat Sundays like any other day?  

No, we need spiritual nourishment and encouragement from our brethren now more than ever (Galatians 5:9-10, 2 Timothy 2:22)! We should connect with our brethren and discover all the ways that there are to still gather together (online/by phone) and worship God and remember Jesus as we ought. 

Does it mean that we can kinda do whatever we want because we're stuck at home anyway, and who's ever gonna find out? 

 You know the answer! God is "above all, and through all, and in your all" (Ephesians 4:6), He wants us to endure to the very end (Hebrews 6:11-12), to be faithful in all things (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)! He wants us to walk as His child in every moment of our lives (Ephesians 4:11-3;16)!

Walking in wisdom, understanding that God is still on His throne and still very worthy of all our praise, all our love, all our trust; understanding that He is still able to bestow blessings on us and more than able to keep His unfailing promises, allows us to 'keep calm and carry on', doing the best we can to honour and obey Him each and every day He grants us, and allows us to prove His good and acceptable and perfect will to the world around us (Romans 12:1-2, James 3:13-18)!

Walking as dear children of God, imitating His goodness, showing His love to others, reflecting His light into the world around you, and nourishing your soul with His Truth (Matthew 5:6) gaining knowledge, wisdom and spiritual understanding (Colossians 1:9-11), will help you faithfully flourish in any circumstance life may bring! 

God does not ask anything of us that we cannot accomplish!! He is worthy of our continued worship and obedience!! He is worthy of our every effort to shine bright for Him!!

You can do it! So can I!!