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THE WORTHY WALK
OF THE BELIEVER (2)

Ephesians 4:17 to 5:2

Introduction

It is interesting to note that the word "walk" with respect to the conduct of the Christian, occurs seven times in this epistle:

1. 2:2 -   the walk of wrath;

2. 2:10 - the walk of good works;

3. 4:1 -   the walk worthy of the Christian;

4. 4:17 - the walk forbidden to the Christian;

5. 5:2 -   the walk of love;

6. 5:8 -   the walk of light;

7. 5:15 - the walk of the wise.

The passage marked for this study contains the forbidden walk (v. 17) and the walk of love (5:2).

The Walk of the rest of the Gentiles – verses 17 to 19

This is the walk forbidden to the Christian: the procedure of the people, the people in general who separated themselves from God and does not know Christ and His salvation.

They walk in darkness, in the ignorance coming from their thoughts and their theories and philosophies. They do not know or want to know, because of the hardness of their hearts, the kind of life pleasing to God (v. 18); then, rejecting the voice of conscience, they indulge in immorality and the lowest forms of sin - as the people before the Flood and those of Sodom and Gomorrah.

The Conversion – verses 20 to 24

Christ takes us away from the old "walk" of sin and of wrath to the new way of truth and righteousness. Let us put off the "old man" to put on the "new", instead of "dead in sins" we are “alive in Christ" - as the Christian baptism means.

The New Life – verses 25 to 29

Born again in Christ, believers will have a new nature, which will reveal itself by a new conduct. Their basic reason will be love of truth, both in words and in actions.

Here are some examples:

1. Lies: they must be left completely - in business, in general conversation (libel), in exams ("copying") and in statements in general.
2. Anger: rage must be controlled and limited, not continued until the next day! Furious and vengeful anger is dangerous, and, by means of it, the devil can lead us to commit grievous sin - like Cain (Genesis 4:5-8) or even Moses (Numbers 20:7-12).
3. Honesty: an employee should not steal the goods or the time of the employer; a believer must pay his debts on time or, better still, not borrow, as Romans 12:8 says. Remember also not to rob God (see Malachi 3:8), or others (2nd Thessalonians 3:10-12).
4. Words: filthy, nasty, cursing talk should never be heard from the mouth of a Christian; nor exclamations such as "My God", "Christ”, "Our Lady!" - which are taking God's name "in vain" (and the mother of Jesus); that is sin. The words of a believer in Christ should help and edify others.

Sealed in the Spirit - verses 4:30 to 5:2

“Grieve not the Spirit of God."  Believers were "sealed"- in the Holy Spirit, reserved for the use of God in eternity. The divine Spirit is the guarantee that our redemption will be completed and to grieve Him is sin. Let us, then, avoid all unworthy conduct and violent, malicious conversation, on the contrary, let us be kind, merciful, full of consideration and love for each other – for such has been God our Father towards us.

Let us then imitate our Father and our Saviour Jesus Christ, being ready to sacrifice our interests (and our "pride") for the sake of our brethren and the entire world. This is the "fifth walk" of the Epistle to the Ephesians.

Note: “As an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma" (5:2). See also Psalm 40:7 and Hebrews 10:7. This is how the Lord Jesus offered Himself because of His love for us. "Sweet smelling aroma": this refers to so-called offerings in Leviticus 1:9, 2:2, etc. These indicated the great satisfaction God would have in the sacrifice of His Son on Calvary, to save sinners.

 

Richard Dawson Jones (1895 - 1987)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,
18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;
19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But you have not so learned Christ,
21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore, putting away lying, "LET EACH ONE OF YOU SPEAK TRUTH WITH HIS NEIGHBOR," for we are members of one another.
26 "BE ANGRY, AND DO NOT SIN": do not let the sun go down on your wrath,
27 nor give place to the devil.
28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians chapter 4 verses 17 to 32

 

1 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.

Ephesians chapter 6 verses 1 and 2