The Seven “Walks” of the Book of Ephesians

 

Introduction.  Walking in a literal sense is coordinating the motion of our legs to take us where we want to go. Figuratively it refers to how we coordinate the actions of our life in order to make us what we ought to be. This evening we will look at seven instances in Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus in which he comments about their “walk.”

 

I.  The Walk of the Non-Christian.  (Ephesians 2:1-3).

All accountable souls have at some point sinned.  Illustration:  Walking through life without the blood of Christ could be described as like trying to walk through a “cotton candy jungle”.  Can’t get it off because you keep bumping into it.  Where ever your fingers touch you can’t remove the mess because your fingers put more wherever they touch!  (Romans 3:10-12; 3:21-24).

 

II.  The Walk for Which the Christian has Been Created.  (Ephesians 2:8-10).

1.)  Scriptures furnish us with knowledge of every good work (II Timothy 3:16,17).

Illustration:  Boss you don’t know how to please!  Take initiative?  Or wait for instruction?  Volunteer ideas?  Or wait until you are asked?  In Christ there are no guessing games about our conduct.

2.)  We demonstrate our faith by our works (James 2:18).

 

III.  The Walk for Which We are Called.  (Ephesians 4:1-3).

The word “vocation” comes from the Latin word meaning “to call.”  In religious world people speak of someone being “called” to preach.  There is no specific calling in the sense of God telling a person what job to pursue.  Yet all Christians are responsible to use the abilities God has given them to His glory.

Note: “Walk worthy” – We are called to be children of God!  That is an honor.  We must live a life worthy of this honor.

 

IV.  The Walk with the Mind of the Non-Christian.  (Ephesians 4:17-19).

Example:  Individual totally motivated by making-money.  Individual totally motivated by pleasure.  Individual totally motivated by things, sports, leisure, etc. 

Super Bowl –  What if 1/10th of the energy that has gone into preparations for the Super Bowl was applied in service to the Lord’s kingdom?

A .  We walk after the head (Colossians 1:17,18).

 

V.  The Walk of the Greatest Thing.  (Ephesians 5:1,2).

I Corinthians 13:13 exalts love as the greatest virtue in comparison to faith, and hope.  Why?  Some argue that it endures.  (We won’t need faith and hope in heaven).  Really it is love that motivates faith and hope.  God-to Us / Us-to God / because of this Us-to Others.

A.  Not in word only, but in deed and in truth (I John 3:16-18).

 

VI.  The Walk of Illumination.  (Ephesians 5:5-14).

A.  He who follows Christ does not walk in darkness (John 8:12).

B.  Christians shine as lights (Philippians 2:12-16).

 

VII.  The Walk of Thoughtfulness.  (Ephesians 5:15-17).

Dictionary defines “circumspect” as – “as heedful of consequences.”  If you do this here is the result.  We must be like the little child crossing the road - “Look both ways.” 

Illustration:  First time driving in a big city - look every “which a way.”  If I am not careful I may be to comfortable with big-city driving and I may forget the dangers of a “malfunction junction.”

Why be circumspect?

A.  Temptation is ever-present (I Peter 5:8,9).

 

Conclusion.   Let us each “walk” as we ought to in Christ, coordinating the deeds of our life in harmony with God’s will.  If you are not a Christian, won’t you begin the walk tonight?