Walking in Love: A Blueprint for Christian Living and Relationships
Pastor Reed Sowell
Life can feel like a journey, filled with moments where we stumble, struggle, and learn how to walk again. Our experiences—both good and bad—shape how we navigate this journey. Some of us may have been blessed with stable homes, positive role models, and supportive communities. Others may have faced more difficult paths with unhealthy influences and dysfunctional environments. Regardless of our individual walks, the Christian life calls for one constant: we are to imitate Christ and walk in love.
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Walking in love, as outlined in Ephesians 5, is not just about avoiding wrong behaviors but intentionally living out the love of Christ in every part of our lives. This article delves deeper into how walking in love plays a pivotal role in shaping both our personal lives and our relationships.
Walking in Love as Christ Did (Ephesians 5:1-2)
The passage in Ephesians 5 opens with a direct challenge: "Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
Walking in love means mirroring the selfless love Christ showed through His sacrifice. This love is not motivated by obligation but by the deep affection Christ had for us. The ultimate example of love, of course, is Jesus on the cross, giving His life for humanity out of love. So, as we walk through life, our goal is to reflect this same kind of love in how we interact with others.
Love is our motivator, just as it was for Christ.
Christ’s sacrifice was the ultimate expression of love, setting the standard for how we should love others.
Our walk should be characterized by this self-giving, sacrificial love, not only in our relationships with family or friends but with everyone around us.
What Happens When We Walk Out of Love (Ephesians 5:3-7)
When we fail to walk in love, there are clear consequences. Paul outlines behaviors that are outside of God’s will, things that tear us away from living a life of love:
Sexual immorality
Impurity
Greed
Obscenity
Foolish talk
Coarse joking
These behaviors are destructive because they move us away from the love of Christ. Paul isn't saying, “Avoid these things to be a good person.” He’s saying, “You’re already saved; live like it!” Our actions should reflect the fact that we follow Jesus, not the culture around us.
Walking out of love doesn’t just mean indulging in obvious sins; it can also manifest in subtle ways, like how we speak or treat people. Paul makes it clear that these behaviors are not fitting for someone who claims to follow Jesus. The struggle against these sins is real, but through repentance and the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians can overcome them.
Living in the Light vs. Living in Darkness (Ephesians 5:8-14)
Paul emphasizes the contrast between living in the light of Christ and living in darkness. He writes, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8).
It’s significant that Paul doesn’t say we were once in darkness; he says we were darkness. Now, as followers of Christ, we are light. This is not just a call to avoid sinful behavior but an invitation to embrace who we are in Christ and live openly and honestly.
Walking in darkness can involve secrecy, dishonesty, or trying to get away with things that don’t align with God's heart. Walking in the light, on the other hand, means living in truth, being transparent, and embracing a lifestyle that reflects the love of Christ.
Walking in light brings freedom and honesty.
Darkness hides sin, but light exposes it, leading to healing and restoration.
Living in light is a conscious decision to turn away from behaviors that don’t reflect God’s heart.
Walk with Wisdom (Ephesians 5:15-20)
"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16)
Paul’s next exhortation is to walk with wisdom. Wisdom isn’t just about knowing the right things; it’s about living carefully, with intention, and being mindful of how we use our time and resources. We should seek God’s will in everything and avoid foolishness, which is often tied to impulsive and destructive behavior.
One practical example Paul gives is to avoid drunkenness. It’s a behavior that often leads to poor decisions and chaos. Instead, Paul encourages us to "be filled with the Spirit" and to use our words to build each other up. Whether it’s through songs of praise or simply speaking words of encouragement, our language and actions should reflect wisdom and the Spirit’s guidance.
Christian Households: Mutual Submission and Love (Ephesians 5:21-33)
This section of Ephesians can sometimes be misunderstood, but at its core, it’s about mutual submission and love within relationships. Paul opens with the general statement, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." This mutual submission frames everything else in this passage, emphasizing teamwork, unity, and support in relationships.
Wives and Submission (Ephesians 5:22-24)
Paul instructs wives to submit to their husbands as they do to the Lord. But this submission is not about being inferior or silent; it’s about recognizing that marriage is a team effort. Submission, in this context, means aligning oneself under the mission of glorifying God in marriage. It’s about prioritizing the health and success of the relationship, not individual desires.
Submission is not silence; a wife’s voice is vital for the relationship to function well.
It’s not about inferiority; it's about choosing to prioritize the mission of the marriage.
This submission is specific to the marital relationship and not a general command for all women to submit to men.
Husbands: Love Like Christ (Ephesians 5:25-29)
The instruction to husbands is even more challenging: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." Paul calls husbands to love their wives sacrificially, just as Christ laid down His life for the Church. This type of love, known as agape love, is a selfless, unconditional love that seeks the best for the other person.
Husbands are called to love their wives with agape love, a love that doesn’t demand anything in return.
This love is sacrificial, seeking the good of the wife above the husband's own desires.
In a Christian marriage, leadership is about serving, not dominating.
The example Paul gives is Christ’s love for the Church—a love that gave everything, even to the point of death. Husbands are to mirror this same love, leading their wives with humility, service, and self-sacrifice.
Walking Like Jesus
Ultimately, Ephesians 5 is a call to walk like Jesus in every area of life. Whether in relationships, daily choices, or the words we speak, our actions should reflect Christ's love and wisdom. Walking in love isn’t just a matter of avoiding wrong behaviors; it’s about actively living out the love, light, and wisdom that we have received through Jesus.
As we grow in our faith, we should see more of Christ’s character in our actions. This doesn’t mean we’ll never struggle or stumble, but it does mean that we’ll wrestle faithfully with sin and seek to walk more like Jesus every day.
Walk in love: Let love guide your decisions and interactions.
Walk in light: Be transparent and live in a way that reflects the truth of Christ.
Walk in wisdom: Use discernment in your daily life, seeking God's will in all you do.
Walk in unity: In relationships, strive for mutual submission, sacrificial love, and teamwork.
Call to Action
How are you walking in love today? Are there areas in your life where you need to invite Christ's love and light in?
Reflect on your relationships—whether in your family, friendships, or community. Are you walking with wisdom and mutual submission, seeking the best for others?
Spend some time this week considering how you can better imitate Christ in your daily walk.
Further Reading
The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller – A deep dive into how the gospel can transform marriage, helping couples understand what true submission and love look like.
Love Walked Among Us by Paul E. Miller – A book that explores the life of Christ as the perfect example of how we should love others.
Other Links
Want to hear more? Check out last week’s message titled, Alive and United in Christ from Pastor Reed here.
Looking for more resources on relationships and Christian living? Visit View Church Resources.