The Epistle to the Ephesians
Lesson 8
Walking Through Ephesians
Introduction
Ephesians is both deeply doctrinal and extremely practical, just like
the other epistles Paul wrote. The first three chapters speak mostly
about doctrine. The last three chapters are full of teaching about
the Christian life. Most of the verses about the believer’s life
are therefore found in the last chapters.
The word “walk” as used in Ephesians and in this lesson, refers to
your habits, the way you live, or the way you conduct yourself. The Epistle provides
us with no excuse for failure to know the will of God about the way we must conduct
our lives. We need to preach and teach the Gospel, but how we live is more important
than how we talk. If you don’t live like a Christian, people will not listen
to what you say. Importance of this Lesson
- Every sincere Christian ought to work hard to find the will of
God for his life.
- God has a will about everything we do or say.
- This lesson will
help you greatly in finding God’s will for
your daily
life.
The Lesson
I. HOW WE ONCE WALKED – Ephesians
2:2-4
- Remember that the word “Gentiles” refers
to all people of every nation who are not Jews.
- Ephesians is written
mainly to Gentiles. Notice that “you” in
Chapter 1 and in Ephesians 2:1. refers to the Gentiles.
- But
now notice the word “we” in Ephesians 2:3. Here
the Apostle Paul, a Jew, refers to himself as well as all other
Jews. It
is clear that “we” includes both Jews and Gentiles.
The phrase “how
we once walked” applies to everyone. As sinners, without
Christ, we all once lived according to “the course (system)
of this world” (Ephesians
2:2).
- The world is an organized system. Satan controls the system
of this world. The great majority of people are seriously looking
for
happiness
without turning to God.
- In 1 John 2:16 The Apostle John talks
about “the world” and
what it includes. He clearly states, “For all that is
in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes
and
the pride
of life,
is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
- How did
we once walk? What was our way of life, before we received
Christ into our hearts and were born again by the
Spirit of God?
- We did whatever this world that Satan controls
does. We did not have the power of the Holy Spirit to command Satan.
We acted
according
to
the desire of our sinful flesh. We did whatever our eyes
looked upon and what we wanted.
- Our natural sinful pride also
played a large part in how we walked. We did three things that
appealed to our spirit
and made
us feel
good about ourselves.
- We lived as sinners without Christ, “according
to the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians
2:2). “The
prince of the power of the air” is just one of many
titles The New Testament gives to Satan. Two other names
that apply to this lesson are “the
prince of this world” (John 14:30; 16:11), and “the
god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4). As the “god
of this world”,
Satan blinds the minds of every person who does not believe
the Gospel. Remember how blind you were before you repented
and received
Christ?
- As the “prince of this world,” Satan
appeals to sinners. They want everything the world
can give them, riches, fame, pleasure,
and popularity.
- As the “prince of the power of the air,” Satan
tries to reach our sinful natures through every available means over
the
airwaves.
One has only to turn on the radio or TV to witness the filth that
is on the air today. It is easy to conclude that “the
prince of the power of the air” has largely
succeeded in controlling the broadcasting world,
as well as every other means of influencing
people
in general.
He is able to cross over any worldly boundary with his control of
evil spirits throughout the atmosphere.
Never underestimate Satan. He is not omnipotent (all-powerful), but
he has great power. He is not omnipresent (present everywhere at
the same
time), but with a multitude of demons at his command, he is able
to appoint them to do what he wants them to do. He can give his power
to the demons
and cause confusion and disorder all over the world. He is clever,
wise, and deceitful. We need the shield of faith and the whole armor
of God
to stop his arrows of temptation and defeat him
(Ephesians 6:11-17).
- As sinners without Christ we once walked
among “the sons
(children) of disobedience.” We lived according to the desires
of our flesh. We wanted to fulfill the desires of the flesh and of
the mind. In our
sinful condition the anger of God was upon us, “even as others” (Ephesians
2:2-3). In addition to obeying the “god of this world,” we
lived among sinners who are disobedient to Christ. They are without Christ,
and without spiritual insight. They do not have courage to fight against
the things that arouse their empty human desires.
- As “children
of wrath” (Ephesians 2:3) all unbelievers
are already condemned (John 3:18). They live under the anger
of God (John 3:36). Believers
must be very thankful for Ephesians 2:4-5: “But God, who is rich
in mercy, for His great love with which he loved us, even when we were
dead
in sins,
hath made us alive together with Christ (by grace ye are saved).”
II.
WALKING IN GOOD WORKS – Ephesians 2:10
- The
verses before and after this passage make perfectly clear that
no one is saved or justified by works. Ephesians 2:8-9 states
clearly, “for
by grace are ye saved…not of works, lest any man should
boast.” The
key verse that settles this once and for all is Galatians 2:16, “Knowing
that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith
in Jesus Christ, even we (Jews) have believed in Jesus Christ,
that we
might be
justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law,
for by the works of
the law shall no flesh be justified.”
- With this clear
presentation of grace and faith as the only way of salvation,
we must ask what Paul means when he writes, “…for
we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
which God has before ordained that
we should walk in them.” If you are a born again believer
in Christ, God, has made you a “new creation in Christ,
through the work of the Holy Spirit” (2 Corinthians
5:17). God wants us to be a witness for that “new creation.” God
want us “work out our salvation” (Philippians 2:12)
by showing that we have been newly created in Christ. He wants
us to show Christ in all
of the things we do. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine
before men that they may see your good works and glorify your
Father who is in heaven” (Matthew
5:16).
- Remember, the text says we are to “walk in them.” That
means you must do everything that you do to the glory of God (1 Corinthians
10:31).
Tell the good news to others. Be ready at all times to give a
reason for the hope you have within you (1 Peter 3:15). You must always
do the work of the
Lord. Jesus said, “the night cometh, when no man can work” (John
9:4).
- Remember also, that in Ephesians 2:10, the Apostle Paul
writes, “God
hath before ordained that we should walk in good works.” What
did Paul mean? The word Paul uses here means “to prepare
beforehand.” God
has predestinated, “decided beforehand,” that we
should live a life that is full of good works. Yes, God saved
us by grace
alone,
but the
evidence of that salvation is a life lived according to the righteous
will and purpose of God (Titus 3:8,14).
III. WALKING WORTHILY – Ephesians
4:1 Ephesians 1-3 dealt mainly
with doctrine. In chapter 4, we
begin to see the practical aspects of the Christian life.
- We must show
the greatness of God and our love for God by the way we live. We
should obey the calling God has given us. We can also find
the Greek word for “calling” in other verses, such as in
1 Corinthians 1:26, Philippians 3:14, and 2 Thessalonians 1:11.
Paul is writing from a prison in Rome. He had established the church
at Ephesus and he was very concerned for their welfare. He did not
rebuke them or demand
that they must do something. He writes tenderly, saying, “I beseech
you.” He
reminds them of “the calling to which God called them.” In the
past they worshipped idols. Through Paul, they had responded to the message
of God’s grace. They had become saints by God’s call (1 Corinthians
1:2). God had called them into His kingdom
(1 Thessalonians 2:12). God had invited them to partake of all the privileges
of the Gospel. Now Paul asks them and us and everyone who is saved, to live
a life worthy of that calling. To live a life that is an example to everyone.
- In Ephesians 4:2-3, Paul lists five things that describe a way of
living that shows obedience to God’s call.
Memorize these characteristics
- Lowliness – the
basic ideas of the original word are humility and decency. God
despises pride. It is at the top of God’s hate list
(Proverbs 6:16-17). It is easy for all of us to be proud, including
professing Christians.
It is easy to think of ourselves as important. It is easy to be selfish.
Some people are proud of their riches, their success, and their position
in life.
Other people are proud of their family name, their children, their
home, or their abilities. However, a Christian never walks around
proudly! To
live in
obedience to the call to which we are called, we must see how completely
unworthy we really are.
- Meekness – Years ago I heard a well-known
preacher say, “ a
meek horse is the broken horse that will pull the load of corn to market.” It
is good that God should break us so that we will submit completely
to all the will of God. Meekness is not weakness. It is Christ-likeness.
Jesus said “Take
my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart,
and ye shall find rest to your souls…” (Matthew 11:29).
A person who is meek does not fight back. He does not try to get even.
He does
not get
angry
when someone lies about him. Remember that all of these things and
many more happened to Jesus too, but when He suffered, He did not talk
against
them
(1 Peter 2:23).
- Longsuffering – Did you ever hear a professing
Christian say something like this? “If he does that to me
again, I’ll
knock his head off!” That
is a common reaction by many people who say they know Christ, but
it is the opposite of longsuffering. Remember that longsuffering
is one of the fruits
of the Spirit. Allow the Holy Spirit to control you (Galatians
5:22). Although you may be born again, you still have that old
Adamic nature,
it is this old
nature that expresses itself in anger. The old nature causes jealousies
and hurt feelings. We must consider the old nature as dead (Romans
6:11-13). We
must put off the “old man” in order to live in obedience
to our calling (Ephesians 4:22).
- Forbearance – Are there
Christians in your life you just do not like? Because you don’t
like them, you speak evil of them, and never wish them well or
pray for them. If this is
true, you must listen carefully to Ephesians
4:32, “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving
one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven
you.” Always
try to see yourself as God saw you when He laid your sins on Christ
at Calvary.
If
God can endure, forgive, and love all the sinners who have ever
trusted Christ, then we should be able to endure the personalities,
strange
actions, and
poor manners of some believers.
- Endeavoring to Keep the Unity
of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace – Some
writers omit this strong advice because they do not thing it has anything
to do with our “walk worthy of the calling to which we are called.” It
is sad that they disregard this warning. If we wish to live in obedience
to our calling, we certainly should fight for unity and peace among the
children of God. The unity Paul tells us to fight for is not the unity
of the Body of Christ, but the unity of the Spirit. The unity of the
Body of Christ is God’s business. He knows them that are His (2
Timothy 2:19), and He will take care of them forever as members of Christ’s
Body. In Colossians 3:15 we read, “…and let the peace of
God rule in your hearts, to which also you are called in one body….” Satan
has succeeded in sowing seeds of confusion and conflict all over this
world so that today there is no unity in Christianity. There are numerous
denominations and sects, as well as many different kinds of Baptists,
Methodists, Presbyterians, Pentecostal groups, and Independent churches.
There may be members of the Body of Christ (the true Church) in many
of these groups. None of the groups individually or together make up
the Church. The Church, the Bride of Christ (Revelation 21:2), is made
up of every born-again believer since Pentecost. The unity of the Spirit,
which we must fight for is the spiritual unity we should feel and promote
among all of God’s people. It is not difficult for believers to
know another believer because the Holy Spirit lives in both of them.
It does not matter what church or denomination he belongs to. If a man
knows and loves Christ he is my brother in the Lord and I should love
him and try to live in peace with him. We should not find fault with
each other. We should not be proud, jealous, or anything that causes
disagreements.
IV. THE WAY THE NEW MAN LIVES – Ephesians
4:17-24
You might find Ephesians 4:17 quite similar to the advice in Ephesians
2:2-10, which reminded us that before we knew Christ, we lived according
to the way of this world and in obedience to Satan, the prince of the
power of the air. The emphasis in that passage is on the richness of
God’s mercy and the greatness of God’s love. Even when
we were dead in sins God made us alive together in Christ and God saved
us by His grace (Ephesians 2:4-5).
In this part of our lesson, “The Way the New Man Lives,” the emphasis
is not on the mercy, love, and grace of God. The emphasis is on the responsibility
of every person who received Christ as Savior, and every person who received
the truth concerning Christ when the Holy Spirit taught him. It is our responsibility
to put off our old sinful nature called “the old man” in Ephesians
4:22, and put on “the new man” in Ephesians 4:24, which of course,
is Christ.
- Ephesians 4:17 – “Walk not as other Gentiles walk in
the vanity of their mind.”
The Ephesian church was mostly Gentiles. Here, Paul reminds them of how
they live in the past “in the vanity of their minds.” In
the language of today, the word “vanity” most often describes
pride, or conceit. In the Scriptures, “vanity” refers to
mental foolishness and useless considerations, such as imagining or believing
things that
are not true.
- Ephesians 4:18-19 – In these two verses, the Apostle
Paul makes clear the meaning of “the vanity of their mind.”
- Sin
darkened their understanding (1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 4:18).
- They did not know spiritual things because they were enemies
of God. How sad it is that millions of people do not know that
God wants
to give them
eternal life (John 10:27-28; 1 John 5:12).
- They do not understand
spiritual things because their hearts are blind. 2 Corinthians
4:4 says that
Satan, “the god of this age (or world) hath blinded the minds
of them who believe not.”
- Because they were spiritually
blind and they did not understand spiritual things, many became
hardened in their sin. Because of
this they did not feel
sorrow for their sin. They gave themselves over to a wicked way
of living that was full of sinful desires.
- Ephesians 4:20 – “But
ye have not so learned Christ” – This
is a key verse. Christ is the answer. In Christ, our misunderstanding
disappears. We are no longer enemies of God because of our ignorance
and spiritual blindness. Our feelings of indifference and sinful natures
gave in to a whole new life in Christ (Romans 12:2; Colossians 3:10;
2 Corinthians 4:16). Paul taught that in Christ God gave us everything
we needed (Philippians 4:9), and we are all complete in Him (Colossians
2:10;
Romans 8:32; 2 Corinthians 9:8). Paul continually pointed the Ephesians
to Christ. In this short epistle of six chapters, the phrase “in
Christ” is found 28 times. No wonder he could say to them, “But
ye have not so learned Christ.”
- Ephesians 4:22-24 – In these
verses Paul tells us what he meant by “that ye henceforth walk
not as other Gentiles walk” (Ephesians
4:17).
- We must put off our old way of living, just as we would a dirty
piece of clothing. Our way of life was sinful. We were full of “deceitful
desires.” To God, even “all our righteousnesses are
as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). The phrase “old man” is
found in Romans 6:6, Ephesians 4:22, and Colossians 3:9. In Romans
6:6, Paul
refers to our Adamic sinful nature which was crucified with Christ.
We must consider it as dead (Romans 6:11). In Ephesians 4:22 and
Colossians 3:8, Paul refers to the actions of that nature.
- And
be renewed in the spirit of our mind (Ephesians 4:23). Born again
Christians are to have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5). “We
are transformed by the renewing of our mind” (Romans 12:2). When you were saved, you received more than a new
nature. You received a new mind. We must keep it new by our love
for things
above (Colossians 3:2). We must continually think about things
that are right
and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).
- …and that you put on the new man, which after God is created
in righteousness and true holiness….” The Holy Spirit
give the new man to the believer (John 3:5).
- Remember, “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation” (2
Corinthians 5:17). The life of a “new man” is a
life of righteousness and true holiness.
V. LIVING IN LOVE – Ephesians
5:2
The true Christian shows love by the way he lives. Christian love is
not sinful, sexual, or human love. It is the “love of God shed
abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5). Several
Bible references tell us about the love of God in order that we can
understand and appreciate the full meaning of this love.
- John 3:16 – “For
God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son….” God
gives us this clear example of what the love of God does. It gives!
It makes gifts sacrificially
and generously.
- 1 John 4:10 – “Herein is love, not that
we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son to be the propitiation
for our
sins…” Propitiation (Sacrifice) is the work of Christ Godward
on man’s behalf. It is the mighty work on Calvary by which God’s
holiness and all of His rightful demands against us are fully satisfied.
The Apostle John says, “Herein is love.” Love, then, is
not only God giving something, but God giving the best He had for all
of
us including the worst of us.
- 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 – No discussion
of Christian love would be complete without reference to these verses.
The Apostle Paul shows
that love in a believer’s life is more important than anything
else.
Verse 1
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Love is greater than angels talking without love.
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Verse 2
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"Love is greater than prophecy, understanding mysteries, having
faith to move mountains.
Without love, I am nothing."
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Verse 3
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“Love is greater than feeding the poor or offering my
body to be burned.
Without love, such things benefit me nothing.”
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Verses 4-8
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Paul lists 19 characteristics of Christian love. Read these
things and then try to make
them real in your life.
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VI. LIVING IN THE LIGHT – OVER AGAINST
LIVING IN DARKNESS – Ephesians
5:8 Ye were sometimes darkness but now are ye light
in the Lord: WALK AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT…”
- It is good to
remember, if you are now saved, that at one time you lived
in darkness (Ephesians 5:8). You were not only living in darkness,
you were a part of the darkness. You lived in darkness and
loved darkness more than light (1 John 1:6; John 3:19, 8:12).
- Jesus
said, “I
am the light of the world, he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,
but shall have
the light of life” (John 8:12). A part of the meaning of
living in the light is that you have confessed your sin, received
Christ
as your Lord and Savior and you know that He is present with you
everywhere
(2 Corinthians 4:6; 1 Peter 2:9; Colossians 1:13; Acts 26:18).
- The
darkness in which we all lived at one time resulted from spiritual
blindness.
In 2 Corinthians 4:4, we read “concerning all who are lost, in
whom the god of this age hath blinded the minds of them that believe
not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the
image of God, should shine unto them.” Satan, the god of this
world (age), fights very hard to spread the darkness of unbelief. He
cause people
to reject Christ.
- Causes of the darkness in which we all walked
at one time (2
Corinthians 11:3):
- Unstable Christians – Satan use false
teachers to make sinners blind to the glorious gospel of
Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4).
- Unbelief – Satan blinds those “who
believe not the Gospel….”
- Love of Sin – John
3:19 says, “…men loved darkness
rather than light because their deeds were evil….”
- What
is the darkness from which we must be delivered?
- Hopelessness – Ephesians
2:12 tells us that sinners are “without
Christ, having no hope, and without God in the world.”
- Lostness – Paul
writes, “if your gospel be hidden,
it is hidden to them who are lost…”
(2 Corinthians 4:3). Jesus came into this world to seek and to
save lost souls (Luke 19:10).
- How are we delivered from
this darkness?
- We are delivered from darkness when God steps in
with His grace and power. “Giving thanks to the father…who
hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath
translated us into the kingdom of
his dear son…” (Colossians 1:12-13).
- God,
who has “commanded the light (of the glorious gospel
of Christ) to shine out of darkness, hath shone in our hearts to
give the
light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face
of Jesus Christ” (2
Corinthians 4:4,6).
- In Acts 26:17-18, Paul said he was
sent to the Gentiles to open their eyes, and to turn them from
darkness to light
and
from the
power of Satan
unto God through the preaching of the Gospel of Christ.
- By repentance (a complete change of mind and attitude) toward
God, and sincere faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,
God delivered
us from the
power of darkness, and “translated us into the kingdom
of his dear son” (Colossians 1:13; 2 Peter 3:9; Acts
17:30, 20:21; Galatians 2:16).
- What is the Light in
which we must live?
- The Light of Christ Himself (John
8:12)
- “He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,
but shall have the light of life.”
- 1 John 1:7 – “If
we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have
fellowship one with
another.” John is writing about living in fellowship
with God.
- 1 John 1:5 – “God is light,
and in him is no darkness at all.” Christ
is now in that light. To live in the light
of Christ, then, is to live as though we
are always
in
the presence
of God. This
life is in fellowship
with God and with Christ.
- The Light of the Word of God
- Psalm 119:130 – “The
entrance of thy word giveth light; it giveth understanding
to the simple.”
- Psalm 119:105 – “Thy
word is a lamp unto my feet and
a light unto my path
- The Light of Prophecy
2 Peter 1:19 – “We have also
a more sure word of prophecy, unto
which you do well to take heed
as unto the light that shineth in a
dark place, until the day dawn, and
the day star arise in your hearts.”
VII. WALKING CAREFULLY – Ephesians
5:15
In thinking about the seven ways
that control or that are a model
for our
lives, living carefully must be considered
the
most important. “Circumspectly” means
to be very cautious and careful about everything we
do or say. It means also to consider carefully all related
circumstances
before
acting,
judging, or deciding. We can live carefully by following
these guidelines
from Romans 14.
Memorize these “do’s and don’ts.
- The Don’t’s
of Romans 14
- DON’T get involved with another Christian who is
weak in the faith and don’t get involved in arguments over
things that are doubtful (Romans 14:1-2).
- DON’T
judge someone who does not see the matter of separation
exactly as you do. Keep in mind that “to
his own master he standeth or falleth” (Romans
14:3-4).
- DON’T do anything that might cause
another Christian to stumble or cause him to be
weak
(Romans 14:13,21).
- DON’T let your good be evil spoken of
(Romans 14:16).
- DON’T do anything that is against your own
conscience, or anything about which you have doubts as to whether
it
is right for you as a Christian
(Romans 14:22-23).
- The DO’s of Romans 14
- Make sure that whatever you are doing
or planning to do is right. For a Christian, there is only
one thing to
do
about anything, and
that is the right thing. “Let each man
be persuaded in his own mind” (Romans
14:5).
- DO whatever you do as unto the Lord
(Romans 14:6-9; Colossians 3:23).
- DO all
you can to build up and strengthen other Christians (Romans 14:19;
Romans 15:2;
1 Corinthians 10:23).
- Remember that at the judgement seat of
Christ you stand alone. You must give
an account of your
own life,
and not of the life
of somebody else (2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10-12).
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