INTRODUCTION TO EPHESIANS STUDY , Ron Ward
IMITATE CHRIST
Passage: Ephesians 5:1~14  
Key verse: 1,2
5 1 Follow God’s example,(A) therefore, as dearly loved children(B) 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us(C) and gave himself up for us(D) as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.(E)
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,(F) or of any kind of impurity, or of greed,(G) because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk(H) or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.(I) 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater(J)—has any inheritance(K) in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a](L) 6 Let no one deceive you(M) with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath(N) comes on those who are disobedient.(O) 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
8 For you were once(P) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light(Q) 9 (for the fruit(R) of the light consists in all goodness,(S) righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.(T) 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,(U) but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light(V) becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:
Footnotes
- Ephesians 5:5 Or kingdom of the Messiah and God
Cross references
- Ephesians 5:1 : Mt 5:48; Lk 6:36
- Ephesians 5:1 : S Jn 1:12
- Ephesians 5:2 : S Jn 13:34
- Ephesians 5:2 : ver 25; S Gal 1:4; 2:20
- Ephesians 5:2 : Heb 7:27
- Ephesians 5:3 : S 1Co 6:18
- Ephesians 5:3 : Col 3:5
- Ephesians 5:4 : Eph 4:29
- Ephesians 5:4 : S ver 20
- Ephesians 5:5 : Col 3:5
- Ephesians 5:5 : S Ac 20:32
- Ephesians 5:5 : S Mt 25:34
- Ephesians 5:6 : S Mk 13:5
- Ephesians 5:6 : S Ro 1:18
- Ephesians 5:6 : Eph 2:2
- Ephesians 5:8 : S Eph 2:2
- Ephesians 5:8 : Jn 8:12; S Lk 16:8; S Ac 26:18
- Ephesians 5:9 : Mt 7:16-20; Gal 5:22
- Ephesians 5:9 : Ro 15:14
- Ephesians 5:10 : S 1Ti 5:4
- Ephesians 5:11 : Ro 13:12; 2Co 6:14
- Ephesians 5:13 : Jn 3:20, 21
- Ephesians 5:14 : Ro 13:11
- Ephesians 5:14 : Isa 26:19; Jn 5:25
- Ephesians 5:14 : Isa 60:1; Mal 4:2
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
We should guard our Christian lifestyles so that there is not even a hint of sexual immorality, greed, or impurity. We need to guard our lips as well, not to sin by complaining, but rather giving thanks. We should not be deceived to think that social norms are okay just because everyone thinks or does so.
We must live as children of the light and walk in the light to please God. Then, we can enjoy the fruits of the light: goodness, righteousness, and truth. Let’s have nothing to do with those who walk in shameful darkness but illuminate the light of Jesus to others.
Prayer: Father, thank you for Christ, who gave himself up for me. Please help me to walk in the way of love and reveal your light to others.
One Word: Be imitators of Christ, walk in his way of love, and shine Jesus’ light