Ephesians 5
A study in how we walk
Why chapters 1 through 3 matter
What God has done. Who you are in Christ.
How to live as a result of what you now know to be true.
Without chapters 1 through 3, Ephesians 5 reads like a list of rules. With them, it reads like freedom.
"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called." Ephesians 4:1
Who has an inheritance?
"In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will... In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."
Ephesians 1:11 through 14
Saved by faith, not by obedience
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Ephesians 2:8 through 9
We continue the same way we started
We do not become righteous through effort and willpower after we are saved. We continue the same way we started, by the Spirit.
"Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"
Galatians 3:3
God finishes what he starts
"Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"
Galatians 3:2 through 3
"He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Philippians 1:6
"Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely... He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it."
1 Thessalonians 5:23 through 24
Perfected, and being sanctified
"For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 'This is the covenant that I will make with them... I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,' then he adds, 'I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.'"
Hebrews 10:14 through 17
Raised up, and created for good works
"But God... made us alive together with Christ... and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
Ephesians 2:4 through 6
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Ephesians 2:10
Sit. Walk. Stand.
Most Christians try to live the Christian life in the wrong order, they attempt to walk (obey, strive, perform) before they have truly sat (rested in what God has already accomplished). The result is exhaustion and defeat.
Paul's instructions for how we walk
"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called."
Ephesians 4:1
"Put off your old self... be renewed in the spirit of your minds... put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Ephesians 4:22 through 24
"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
Ephesians 4:30
Ephesians 5:1–10
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no 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 become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:11–21
11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the heart of the Lord, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Imitators of God
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
Ephesians 5:1 through 2
Children of light
"For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true)."
Ephesians 5:8 through 9
"And try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord."
Ephesians 5:10
Be filled with the Spirit
"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the heart of the Lord, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ."
Ephesians 5:18–21