Walk in Love, Light and Wisdom

Two chapters left and we are racing towards the conclusion of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Once again, we can find he has broken the next passage into three key points about the Christian walk in Christ. We need to walk in love, walk in the light and walk in wisdom.

Walk in Love

¹ Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. ⁵ For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

 Walk in love sounds like a chick flick about a relationship that blossomed on a wilderness walk. And yet there is hard edge to this love. This love is not weak and marshmallowy. This love is about a walk in service to Christ and walk in purity.

I don’t know about you but I do feel the standards set for language in this passage are pretty tough. Obscenity, foolish talk and coarse joking actually are not really aimed at dad jokes and the occasional faux pas. This is aimed squarely at language that normalises things that are wrong. Jokes about race and misogyny. Language that degrades others and degrades our relationship with each other and God. I suspect this is not something that we originate, but it is language and coarse talk that we can find others around us using. Do we call people out? Do we stand up for those they are denigrating? Tough to do but it’s the only way we stop the normalisation of this type of language and what lies behind it.

Walk in Light

 ⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. ⁷ Therefore do not be partners with them.

⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord. ¹¹ Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

Live life in light and shine a light on those who live in darkness. Wow. That is a big calling. It is tough enough trying to live in the light, but that extra calling of shining a light on those who live in darkness is a big ask. And yet we can do our bit.

• Call out those who put down women and use misogynistic language to keep women in “their place”
• Stand up for those who get teased and mocked for how they look or speak
• Support organisations who support the vulnerable in our society especially the ones that put resources directly in the hands of those people – food banks, night shelters, drops ins, credit unions
• Be an advocate for those who are vulnerable. Speak up when they come up against bureaucracy and need help to get what they need.

Walk in light and help others to walk in the light too.

Walk in wisdom

¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Be wise. Paul gives us some tips on what living in wisdom – don’t be filled with alcohol but be filled with God’s spirit – seems to be at the core.

As someone who sings a lot, at random times, I don’t think my family would thank me for singing any more than I do. However, walking in wisdom is much more than singing a few songs.

Wisdom is something we attribute to older people and often with good reason. They have learnt to take a breath before speaking. To count to ten before piling in with their point of view.

Years ago there was a much ridiculed trend of having plastic wristbands with WWJD – what would Jesus do? – on them. Much as they were mocked, there was a truth in the message. True wisdom comes from taking a step back and considering what would Jesus do in this situation? That is how we truly walk in wisdom.