Walking in Ephesians by Meredith Eaton

“So, how’s your walk with the Lord?”

I confess I’ve always felt this question is a bit cheesy Christianese.  But, of course, feelings, least of all my feelings, aren’t the best gauge of what is true and right.

A couple weeks ago, someone used Ephesians 5:1-2 as a devotional:

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

By my count, “walk” is used seven times in this book of only six chapters. So, there must be something to this Christian-walk talk. After all, John Bunyan’s allegory, published in 1678, has never been out of print. Yes, God likes metaphors, so what’s the big deal?

What was exciting to me as I read the “walk” verses is how God not only tells us our purpose, but also supplies the answers for our questions along the way. He instructs and then comes alongside. 2 Timothy 3:16 came to life (“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness).

 Imagine yourself embarking on this journey…

What can we do when we get weary?  God’s prescription is to be “renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (4:23-24). Truth refreshes.

What about when our burdens slow us down? “…[L]ay aside the old self… put on the new self… laying aside falsehood, speak truth…”  (4:22, 24, 25). We can throw off the unnecessary weight that we were never made to carry.

And when discouraged?  “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear” (4:29). Grace!

Who should we  travel with?  “[T]he wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light…” (5:6-8). Our closest companions should be brothers and sisters in Christ.

How do we prevent getting off-track? “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil” (5:15-16). Stay alert.

And maybe the most encouraging truth I gleaned from this little walk through Ephesians is that we are not trailblazing a new path. Jesus said He is the Way. We are to “walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us…” Christ has done it all for us. He is not asking us to go anywhere He hasn’t already gone. Nor has He left us to ourselves. He is Emmanuel, God with us. Hallelujah.

So, how’s your walk with the Lord?