Walking Worthy in Christ
Ephesians 5
Paul exhorts believers to live in a way that reflects their identity in Christ.
The Christian life is described as a walk—steady, consistent, day-by-day obedience.
Walk in Love!
Ephesians 5:1–7
Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children. 2 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. 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For [a]this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.
Imitators of God (v. 1)
As children imitate their parents, believers imitate their heavenly Father.
Jesus washing the disciples’ feet
John 13:14–15
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.
Christ’s Sacrificial Love (v. 2)
True love is not selfish, but sacrificial.
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
Contrast with Worldly Living (vv. 3–7)
Love rejects immorality, greed, and impurity.
Joseph fleeing from Potiphar’s wife
Genesis 39:12
She caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside.
Walking in love means choosing sacrifice over selfishness, purity over lust, and service over self-interest.
Walk in Light
Ephesians 5:8–14
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”
Our New Identity vs.8
Before Christ: darkness; in Christ: light.
Paul’s conversion from persecutor to preacher
Acts 9:3–6
As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Fruit of the Light (v. 9)
Goodness, righteousness, and truth are evidence of the light.
Zacchaeus’ repentance produced righteous fruit
Luke 19:8–9
Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham;
Expose the Darkness (vv. 11–14)
Light reveals what is hidden in darkness.
Nathan confronting David’s sin
II Samuel 12:7–9
Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8 I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your keeping, and gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if that had been too little, I also would have given you much more! 9 Why have you despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon.
Call to wake up spiritually (v. 14).
Walking in light means living transparently, bearing godly fruit, and confronting sin with truth.
Walk in Wisdom
Ephesians 5:15–21
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Redeem the Time (v. 16)
Make the most of every opportunity, because days are evil.
Jesus prioritized His Father’s will even under pressure
John 9:4
I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.
Understand God’s Will (v. 17)
Wisdom is not merely knowledge, but aligning with God’s will.
Jesus in Gethsemane
Luke 22:42
“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”
Spirit-Filled Living (vv. 18–21)
Contrast: drunkenness vs. Spirit-filling.
joyful singing, thankful hearts, humble submission.
Early church believers filled with the Spirit
Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:46–47
So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Walking in wisdom means living purposefully, guided by God’s will, and empowered by the Spirit.