Walk This Way
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
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord - Ephesians 5:8-10
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil - Ephesians 5:15-16
You might remember the song “Walk This Way” by Aerosmith (and later Run-DMC). It’s loud, rebellious, and iconic - a cultural anthem telling you to follow a certain path, chase a certain lifestyle, live without limits.
The world still wants us to walk that way - living for what we think truth is, doing what feels good, and not letting anyone else tell us how to live.
But Scripture offers a very different path - a better way to walk. In Ephesians 5, Paul urges believers to “Walk this way” - but not the world’s way. God calls us to walk in love, in light, and in wisdom. This walk reflects our identity in Christ and stands in sharp contrast to the noise and values of the world around us.
Let’s take a closer look at what that means.
Paul writes Ephesians from prison, encouraging the church to live in a manner worthy of their calling. In chapters 1-3, he lays out the believer’s position in Christ - chosen, redeemed, sealed. Then in chapters 4-6, he moves to practices, explaining how we are to walk out our faith in the real world. Chapter 5 continues this practical exhortation with three instructions on how to “walk this way” - walk in love, walk in light, and walk in wisdom.
Walk in Love (verses 1-2)
To walk in love means to live in selfless, sacrificial care for others - just as Christ loved us. It’s not merely affection; it’s action. Jesus didn’t just feel love for us - He gave Himself for us.
For the believer, walking in love means letting the love of Christ shape how we treat people: in marriage, at work, with our neighbors, and especially with those who are difficult to love. It’s a love that initiates, forgives, and gives without expecting anything in return.
Walk in Light (verses 8-10)
Paul doesn’t say we were in darkness, but that we were darkness. It was our identity. But now in Christ, we are light. This shift means we no longer participate in or hide sin, but expose it by the way we live.
Walking in light means living honestly, transparently, and morally upright lives - not because we’re perfect, but because we want to please the Lord. Paul says we should be “Finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.” This is an active pursuit. We don’t coast through life - we seek clarity and conviction from God’s Word.
Walking in Wisdom (verses 15-16)
To walk in wisdom is to live intentionally. The world promotes impulsiveness, indulgence, and distraction. But Paul tells us to live circumspectly - with eyes open and hearts engaged. Time is a gift, and these days are evil, so we must use every moment for God’s purposes.
Wisdom is not just knowing what is right - it’s doing it at the right time, in the right way, with the right heart.
I think Joseph was a good example of this. Think back on his life.
He walk in love by forgiving his brothers who betrayed him (Gen. 50:20)
He walked in light by resisting Potiphar’s wife and choosing purity (Gen. 39)
He walked in wisdom by managing Egypt’s resources and preparing for famine (Gen. 41).
Joesph’s life wasn’t easy, but he lived each moment with integrity, trusting God’s greater plan.
So, is your walk today reflecting who you are in Christ - marked by love, guided by light, and grounded in wisdom?
Heavenly Father, help me to walk in love, just as You loved me and gave Yourself for me. Help me to walk in light - honest, pure, and pleasing to You. And help me walk in wisdom, not wasting my days but using them for Your glory. Like Joseph, may my life reflect trust, truth, and purpose. In Jesus’ name Amen.
