I hope that this study in Ephesians 5 will be a blessing to you. As we are seeking to be culture warriors and not culture imitators, it is crucial that we are seeking to imitate God! This passage will show us how we can do this in how we talk and walk. Let’s get into Word so the Word can get into us and change us from the inside out!
Before you start your time with God today, take a moment to pray to your God. After you pray, take time to read through the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.
As you read this week's passage, look for these words or phrases: imitators, walk in love, sacrifice, impurity, filthiness, idolater.
Passage for the week: Ephesians 5:1-5 (NASB)
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;
4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
DIGGING DEEPER
Monday:
List all of the characteristics of God and any promises of God that you find in this passage.
We are told to be imitators of God, as children who are loved by God. How do children imitate? (Give some examples of your own observations of small children)
Just as children imitate their parents’ behavior (which can be a VERY humbling experience!), we are to imitate God. What do you see in the Scriptures about God that you can imitate?
From your list above, what are some characteristics or attributes of God that you will commit to begin imitating today?
Wednesday:
How is Christ the perfect example of what Paul asks of us in verse 2? How can you walk in love toward others this week by following Christ’s example?
In verse 3, some translations render the verse this way: “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.” Explain this verse in your own words and then explain what needs to change in your life so you can live it out!
Commit the list you just wrote to the Lord in prayer right now. God’s grace was more than sufficient to cleanse you from all unrighteousness when you were saved. That same grace is still more than sufficient to empower you to say no to sin and live righteously in this perverse world (Titus 2:11-12)!
Friday:
How is giving thanks with your lips an appropriate replacement for spouting the filthy and profane language that Paul condemns in verse 4?
How can you use thanksgiving to replace sinful language in your life?
In verse 5, why will immoral, impure, or greedy people be unable to inherit the kingdom of Christ and God? Why does Paul call these kinds of people idolaters and who are they worshipping?
Spend time right now praising God for His work in your life, and pray that He will continue to give you the grace to obey Him by walking in His way and worshipping Him with your life.
