How To Walk as a Christian Ephesians, written by Paul, a “prison epistle,” written by “an ambassador in bonds,” Ephesians 6:20. The book naturally Divides into two main divisions. –Chapters 1-3 reveal what God has done for us through Christ. –Chapters 4-6 reveal what we are to do for God (how we are to walk as Christians).

What God has Done For Us: “Blessed us with all spiritual blessings, Ephesians ”1:3. Adopted us as “children,” Ephesians 1:5. Made us “accepted in the beloved,” 1:6. He has Redeemed us, Ephesians 1:7. He has forgiven us, Ephesians 1:7. He has “made known to us the mystery of His will,” Ephesians 1:9

What God has done for Us: He has provided for us an “inheritance,” Ephesians 1:11. He has “sealed us with the Holy Spirit of promise,” Ephesians 1:13. He has given us life, Ephesians 2:1,5. Reconciled us unto Him “in one body,” Ephesians 2:16. Made us “partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel,” Ephesians 3:6.

Observations: In chapters 1-3 He tells us what God has done for us. In chapters 4-6 He tells us what we are to do for God. Chapters 1-3 are largely doctrinal in nature. Chapters 4-6 are largely applicational. Chapters 4-6 tell us how we are to walk as Christians; chapters 1-3 provide the motivation for the conduct prescribed.

Positively – Walk Worthy of Vocation…Eph. 4:1. “Walk” (peripateo), “the whole round of the activities of the individual life.” “Worthy” – a manner consistent with what God has done for him. –Beforehand they had “walked according to the course of this world,” Ephesians 2:2. “Vocation” – in a manner consistent with our “heavenly calling,” cf. Heb. 3:1

Walking “Worthy of the Vocation” – Involves: Lowliness, or humility, 4:2; James 5:6. Meekness. Longsuffering, or “patience with respect of persons,” Weust. Forbearing another in love,” 4:2. –Paul was writing to people who formerly hated one another! Effort! – “Endeavoring to keep…” 4:3.

Walking Worthy of the Vocation – Negatively: “Walk not as other Gentiles walk,” Eph. 4:17-18; cf. 2:2-3. –“In the vanity of their mind,” 4:17. “Putting Away,” Ephesians 4:25. –Lying, Ephesians 4:25. –Prolonged Anger, Ephesians 4:26. –Stealing, Ephesians 4:28. –Corrupt Communication, Ephesians 4:29.

Walking Worthy – Reverting back to the Positive “Walk in love,” Ephesians 5:2. –“As Christ has loved us.” “As” an adverb of action; the kind of love which motivated Jesus. John 13:34-25; 15:13; Romans 5:8. “Walk as children of light,” Eph. 5:8. –“Teknon,” denoting “a born one,” one born again! John 3:3,5. –God is light, I John 1:5. –Hence, no fellowship with darkness! 5:11.

Walk Circumspectly, 5:16 “Circumspectly” (akribos) “exactly, accurately, carefully,” Weust. “Not as fools, but as wise,” Eph. 5:16. Why should we so walk? –We have an adversary who is trying to devour us! I Peter 5:8

Walking Circumspectly Involves: “Redeeming the time,” Eph. 5:16. –Metaphorically, it means “to make a wise and sacred use of every opportunity for doing good.” cf. Galatians 6:10. Utilizing opportunities for increasing our “understanding” of the will of the Lord, Eph. 5:17. Utilizing opportunities to worship God, Eph. 5:18-19; cf. Colossians 3:16.

Observation: Our “Walk” includes heeding all these passages. It also includes heeding the positive instructions set forth in these chapters: –“Forgiving one another,” 4:32. –Being thankful, 5:20. –Honoring obligations in marriage, 5: –Honoring parent-child obligations, 6:1-4. –The employer-employee relationship, 6:5-9. –Putting on the whole armor of God, 6:10-18

Conclusion: Clearly, there are many obligations and responsibilities involved in our “walk” as Christians. But think of the blessings set forth! A cause-effect relationship between blessings and responsibilities. Honoring these obligations brings joy both in the here and the hereafter!