Ephesians Week 11

Day 1 

READ 

Ephesians 5:1-2 

5 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. 

Paul continues telling believers how to live. They are to imitate God in all they do. They do this by having a life filled with love and following Jesus as an example. Even though mankind was not worthy of His love, Jesus offered Himself as a sacrifice. Such love is a “pleasing aroma to God,” like an offering to Him. Notice that love has to be expressed to be seen by others. Just as Jesus gave Himself, believers are also to imitate God and gladly serve others. 

REFLECT 

What actions have you done lately that would express your love for others? 

RESPOND 

Read Philippians 2:5-11where Paul used Christ’s example to teach believers how to live. Are you and your disciple showing your love by imitating Jesus? 

Day 2 

READ 

Ephesians 5:3-4 

3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 

Some today think there should be no prohibitions about immorality. That is not true for the person who wants to imitate God. Likely all the items listed here are associated with sexual desires. Paul lists various kinds of talk about sex that dishonors God. “Coarse jokes” would refer to sexual talk also. Instead the believer is to have speech of thankfulness to God. 

REFLECT 

Has God given you victory in this area? If so, thank Him for that. If not, ask Him to fill your heart with love and thankfulness instead of sensual thoughts.  

RESPOND 

This is a delicate area to deal with but sometimes a person needs someone to whom he can be accountable. Be specific with your disciple in sharing victories and defeats in these areas. Back to the Bible’s research has shown that a person who is in the Bible at least four times a week has fewer temptations with pornography, gambling, adultery and drugs. Be in the Bible. 

Day 3 

READ 

Ephesians 5:5 

5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 

Here Paul describes people whose lives are characterized by practicing these sinful activities. Such lifestyles indicate the person has never trusted Jesus as Savior or there would be a convicting to stop practicing such. This reveals that God has standards for morality that are often forgotten or denied today. Rather than believing what some God-denier has written about these issues, it is better to see what God Himself has said.  

REFLECT 

Do you believe what the Bible says about those whose lifestyles exhibit what God condemns? 

RESPOND 

It should not be thought that only this time is so bad morally. As he wrote 1 Corinthians, Paul mentioned what the lifestyle of these believers was like before salvation. First, read verses 6:9-10 and then be sure to read verse 11. They were delivered from these lifestyles because they had trusted in Jesus. 

Day 4 

READ 

Ephesians 5:6-7 

6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 

Many try to excuse sexual sins today, but Paul says the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.” In addition to not excusing these sins, Paul warns not to take part in them. Those who do not have the indwelling Holy Spirit to convict of dishonoring God reveal they have never trusted in Jesus. Believers are convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit when they dishonor God. 

REFLECT 

Think of a time you were convicted in your heart for doing something you should not have. This is an indication you are a child of God. 

RESPOND 

Read Colossians 3:5-7 to see something similar Paul said about immorality and the anger of God. 

Day 5 

READ 

Ephesians 5:8-9 

8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. 

In their unsaved state, Paul described the Ephesians as “full of darkness.” After their receiving Jesus as Savior, Paul described them as having “light from the Lord.” Because that is true of them, Paul wants them to live like it. The way to tell if they’re doing so is whether what they are doing is “good and right and true.” Anything else is not produced by the Lord Jesus in them. Paul told believers in Colosse that Christ lives in them (see Colossians 1:27). This is true of all believers. 

Reflect 

Thank the Lord that you have Christ living in you. Make it your prayer that you want to reflect His glory in all you do. 

RESPOND 

Read 1 John 1:5-7 that tells about God being light and in Him is no darkness. Believers need to imitate this magnificent God.