Walking in the Light

Read: Ephesians 5:1-20

Live as children of the light. (v. 8)

Jesus' followers are actually on a journey. In Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress Christian starts at the wicket gate of repentance, comes quickly to the cross for forgiveness, and so starts his hazardous journey to the Celestial City. Much of it is uphill, and through difficult country.

Seven times in Ephesians Paul tells his readers how to live, literally, how to walk. Stronger than simply living, walking conveys the idea of progress in the Christian life. It speaks of the movement of the pilgrim aiming to reach the Heavenly City, always covering new ground. As the old hymn says, "I nightly pitch my moving tent a day's march nearer Home."

To "walk in love" (v. 2) is to envelop yourself with Christ's love and to breathe it as we breathe the air. To "walk as children of light" (v. 8) is to live as God's sons and daughters, bearing the family likeness, since "God is light" (1 John 1:5). When you walk across a space, your walk is as individually recognizable as your fingerprints. To walk wisely (v. 15) is to show by your behavior that you really do know and practice God's will.

The Christian life is active, advancing movement toward a goal. It's like riding a bicycle—you either move forward or you fall off.

Prayer: Lord, help me to move a day's march further toward heaven today. Amen.

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