READING: Ephesians 3:1-5:14
How we live as Christians really does matter. In today’s reading, Paul ends the first section of the book of Ephesians (Eph 1-3)—a section of theology that describes our position in Christ—by praising God to whom all glory belongs forever and ever (Eph 3:20-21). He then transitions into the second portion of this book – a section that focuses on our behavior built on our position in Christ. Indeed, he uses the word “walk” (a word that speaks of how we live) multiple times in this section. The Ephesian believers are to:
- “walk worthy of the calling you have received” (Eph 4:1), knowing that who they are in Christ should be evident in their day-to-day living
- “no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thoughts” (Eph 4:17), following their own desires and philosophies rather than obeying God
- “walk in love” (Eph 5:2), imitating God and modeling Christ’s love
- “walk as children of light” (Eph 5:8), living out goodness, righteousness, and truth
- [and this one occurs in tomorrow’s scheduled reading] “Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise” (Eph 5:15).
The readers had been dead in their trespasses and sins, and they had been walking “according to the ways of the world” (Eph 2:2). Now, they walked differently because God had changed them—but still they had to make deliberate, intentional decisions to walk as God intended. Walking rightly was a moment-by-moment, day-to-day decision for the believers. That is still the case for us, too.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Are you walking in a way that pleases God today?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, I commit myself to imitate You with all my being.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Ephesians 5:15-6:24, Colossians 1:1-23
