The Christian life is not defined by words alone but by the steps we take each day. In Ephesians 5:1-21, the Apostle Paul calls believers to live as followers of God, imitating His character through a deliberate walk in love, light, and wisdom. This passage challenges us to consider how our choices, conversations, and actions reflect our identity as God’s children. Pastor Léveillé’s sermon unpacks these verses, encouraging us to make every step count in a world filled with distractions and moral challenges.
Walk in Love (Verses 1-7)
Paul begins with a powerful command: “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 sweet-smelling savour” (Ephesians 5:1-2, KJV). To be a follower of God means to imitate Him, much like a child mimics their parent. This imitation is not a casual act but a deliberate choice to walk in love, reflecting the sacrificial love of Christ, who gave Himself for us.
Walking in love requires moment-by-moment decisions. Every conversation, every reaction, every choice is a step in our walk. Paul contrasts this with selfish behaviours that oppose love, such as fornication, uncleanness, and covetousness (Ephesians 5:3-5). These are not merely sins but counterfeits of love, rooted in self-gratification rather than self-giving. For example, fornication seeks pleasure without purity, and covetousness turns love inward, prioritizing self over others. As believers, we are called to reject these and instead choose gratitude and purity, ensuring our steps align with God’s character.
Pastor Léveillé illustrates this with the story of Pastor Celestin Musikura, who, after the Rwandan genocide, chose to forgive those who killed his family. This radical act of forgiveness mirrors Christ’s love on the cross, where He prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34, KJV). In every situation, we must ask, “What does love require of me?” and let Christ’s example guide our next step.
Walk in Light (Verses 8-14)
Paul continues, “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8, KJV). To walk in light is to live transparently, with nothing to hide. Light exposes truth, goodness, and righteousness, while darkness conceals shame and sin. A life illuminated by the Holy Spirit produces choices that need no cover, free from deceit or impurity.
The pastor shared the story of Gypsy Smith, an evangelist who saw a white lily growing near a coal mine, untouched by the surrounding filth. Like that lily, a Spirit-filled believer repels the dirt of sin through a life of honesty and purity. Paul urges us to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11, KJV). This means rejecting secret compromises and exposing darkness by living openly for God. When Christ enters our lives, He shines light on hidden sins, calling us to confess and walk as new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Practically, this means evaluating our thoughts, conversations, and actions. Do they please God? Can they withstand scrutiny? If we must hide something, it likely belongs to darkness. By walking in light, we reflect our Father, who is light Himself (1 John 1:5).
Walk in Wisdom (Verses 15-21)
Finally, Paul instructs, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16, KJV). To walk circumspectly is to step carefully, like a traveller avoiding landmines, as illustrated by missionary Graham Staines in a war-torn region of India. Every decision, conversation, and action must be intentional, aligned with God’s will.
Wisdom is not about intelligence but obedience to God’s Word. Paul contrasts being “drunk with wine” with being “filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18, KJV). While drunkenness leads to reckless shame, Spirit-filling produces praise, gratitude, and submission (Ephesians 5:19-21). A Spirit-filled life overflows with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, giving thanks in all circumstances and submitting to others in reverence for God.
Walking in wisdom means redeeming the time, making every moment count in a world marked by moral decay. As missionary Jim Elliot wrote, “Wherever you are, be all there.” Each step should reflect God’s purpose, ensuring our choices are loving, transparent, and obedient.
Conclusion
Ephesians 5:1-21 presents the Christian life as a walk, not a sprint. It’s not about a grand, one-time decision but a series of choices, moment by moment. Every step is an opportunity to reflect God’s love, light, and wisdom. Whether in conversations, reactions, or decisions, we are called to imitate our Heavenly Father, just as Christ did.
If you have not trusted Christ as your Saviour, today is the day to receive His forgiveness and begin this walk. For believers, let each step be a testimony of your identity as God’s child. As Pastor Léveillé concluded, life is a series of choices (friendships, conversations, reactions) that either follow God or stray from Him. May we walk in love, light, and wisdom, reflecting the beauty of Christ with every step.
