SATURDAY June 22, 2024
Walking in Love
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Ephesians 5:1-2
As we continue to study the Christian life, Paul began to further instruct the Ephesian believers to walk in love. Remember, in the second part of the Epistle, they would learn how to behave. They were to walk worthy, walk in love, walk in wisdom, and walk in the light.
Paul, as a father, spoke tenderly to them––as dear children. They had a personal relationship with God upon their acceptance of Jesus as their Lord and Savior. As His followers, they should become just like Him––Christ-like. They were to imitate His pattern of love and sacrifice.
Walking is always a position of fellowship with God. We see this when we read about Enoch: And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him (Genesis 5:24). Enoch was actually raptured to heaven. What was the reason God took him? In Hebrews 11:5, the reason was given:
By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
When the world became so corrupt, God was able to find men like Enoch, who remained in close fellowship with Him, and Noah, a preacher of righteousness. They both gave their lives to God and were used by Him.
We are living in a very corrupt world. We find ourselves in the midst of great wars, not knowing what the future holds. I believe the day may come when the draft is issued, and the next generation of young people will have to go to war. This time, nations will probably use nuclear weapons. I pray for young adults constantly because they will be the ones called to go to war. Yet I know they will be in the hands of God.
Therefore, in these days of evil, commit your life fully to Jesus Christ so that you can be used by Him. Endeavor to walk in love toward those who do not know Christ. Live a life of love and sacrifice.
Becoming a Christian takes only a single step; being a Christian means walking with Christ the rest of your life.
~Billy Graham~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
