16/03/2023
DAY 1
WE ARE BORN OF GOD…WE WALK IN LOVE JUST LIKE OUR FATHER (1)
Ephesians 5:1-2 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
The first fact to note from the writer’s explanation in the above texts is that he refers to us as “dear children (of God)”.
This is consistent with his explanation earlier in Chapter 2.
Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
We received the Spirit of God by faith in the gospel.
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Vs 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Thus, from Paul’s explanation in this letter, by faith in the gospel, we (believers) are born of God, and we are indwelt by His Spirit.
Therefore, when he taught and gave instructions in Ephesians 5:1-3.
Ephesians 5:1-2 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
It is lucid that as believers, because we are born of God, and we are indwelt by the Spirit of God, we can imitate God (our Father) in our conduct.
This explains why he taught in earlier paragraphs.
Ephesians 4:29-32 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Again, notice Paul’s explanation in verse 32
…And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
In other words, our (every believer’s) example of walking in love, and forgiving one another is God, our father.
Hence, his instructions to walk in love.
Ephesians 5:1-2 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Thus, in conclusion, at salvation, we (believers) received the Spirit of God (our Father), and as such, we can act like our Father (we are kind-hearted, we easily forgive, we walk in love) in how we relate with fellow believers
Confession: I am born of God. I have the Spirit of God. Just like my Father, I walk in love towards others (to fellow believers (leadership and membership) in my local assembly, family members, colleagues at work, friends, colleagues at school, and many as such) daily.
Kindly join us tomorrow as we continue in this devotional on the subject of Walking in Love.
Tell a friend.
Jesus is Lord.
