“Seven ‘Walks’ Of The Ephesians”
Jarrod M. Jacobs

Ephesians is a book of unique value to the Christian. When we read this book, we are impressed with these folks’ conversion from sin and how they became Christians. We are also impressed with the words of the apostle Paul, encouraging them to remain faithful to the Lord so long as they lived on this earth.

When writing to these brethren, he emphasized their need for “walking” a certain way and not “walking” a certain way. Seven times in the book of Ephesians, the apostle mentions “walking”; two times in a negative sense and five times in a positive sense. This book provides us with clear guidance on how to live our lives. Please read these verses below and then let us make applications to ourselves.

The Word “Walk” In The Book Of Ephesians ...
2:1-2 – “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:”

2:10 – “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

4:1 – “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.”

4:17 – “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind.”

5:1-2 –“Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children: And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor.”

5:8 – “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.”

5:15-16 – “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

The Word “Walk” Has Meaning.
When we think about the word “walk,” it implies a direction. We can only walk in one direction. Therefore, we choose one direction and reject the others. Notice in these seven references in the book of Ephesians that Christians are told how to walk and not walk. This underscores the importance of our choices and the responsibility we have in making them. Seeing that this is true, let us make sure we are walking in the direction described by God (Jer. 10:23)! To do so means walking in good works (Eph. 2:10), walking worthy of our vocation (Eph. 4:1), walking in love (Eph. 5:1), walking as children of light (Eph. 5:8), and walking circumspectly (Eph. 5:15). This is a tall order, isn’t it? Yet, it is something that each Christian can do; otherwise, it would not be required of us.

Choosing to “walk” according to the characteristics named in Ephesians means we are not choosing to walk according to our selfish will or walk in the direction that the “majority” of this world does (Eph. 2:1-2, 4:17). Are we willing to stand out, to be a “peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14)? If so, then, let us walk in the right direction, and refuse to walk anymore in the way that the world does. Yes, it is sometimes difficult, but the result will be a rest and reward in Heaven.

“Walking” Is A Continual Action.
Let us realize that walking in good works, worthy of our vocation, in love, as children of light, and circumspectly is not a one-time event. It is a lifelong journey of spiritual growth and commitment. Therefore, if the Lord wills, we have a lifetime to improve, to hone our skills, to learn, and to be the best we can be (II Pet. 3:18). In other words, Christians will “be faithful unto death” (Rev. 2:10). They will “be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (I Cor. 15:58). This is what the “walking” described in those five places in the book of Ephesians is all about! It's not about a single step, but a continuous journey.

 

Conclusion
When we walk in the right direction, we are not just following a path, we are transforming our lives to reflect the life of Christ (Rom. 12:1-2). We are walking in good works as Christ did good works (Eph. 2:10; Acts 10:38). We are walking worthy of our vocation, as Christ walked worthy of God (Eph. 4:1; I Pet. 2:22). We are walking in love as Christ walked in love (Eph. 5:1; II Cor. 5:14; Eph. 3:18-19). We are walking as children of light, following Christ, “the light of the world” (Eph. 5:8; Jn. 8:12, 9:5). We are walking circumspectly, just as Christ walked diligently while He was upon the earth (Eph. 5:15; I Pet. 2:21). When we follow the instructions laid out in Scripture, we are moving closer to Christ! This is the transformation we are striving for every day we live. If you haven’t been doing this, why not start now?

Walking in this way means we also will do our best to avoid going back and falling into the trap of walking like the Gentiles or according to the course of this world. Having become Christians, we must avoid what will take us away from Christ and move closer to Him daily. When we “walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (I Jn. 1:7).