Ephesians 5
Marriage, a mystery revealing Christ and the Church: love, unity, and self-giving grace.
Paul calls believers to imitate God by walking in love, as demonstrated by Christ’s self-sacrificing love for the Church. This imitation is not legalistic behavior modification but a Spirit-led expression of the new identity believers already possess in Christ. Walking in love excludes immoral, impure, and greedy behavior, as well as obscene and careless speech—all of which are out of step with a life transformed by Christ. Paul urges gratitude and thanksgiving instead, for these flow naturally from hearts filled with the Spirit.
He warns against living in darkness or partnering with those who disregard sin, because such a lifestyle is incompatible with the kingdom of Christ. Instead, believers are now light in the Lord and are called to walk as children of light. This means living wisely, aware of the times, and filled with the Spirit rather than fleshly indulgence. This filling leads to joy, mutual encouragement, music flowing from the heart, and consistent thanksgiving.
In practical relationships, mutual submission is the outflow of Spirit-filled living. Paul emphasizes marriage as a mystery that reveals the union between Christ and His Church. Wives are exhorted to honor and submit to their husbands as unto the Lord, and husbands are called to love their wives with the same selfless, nurturing love Christ has for His bride. This love cleanses, cherishes, and unifies.
Personalized Journal Entry in the Holy Spirit’s Voice Through Scripture
You were once darkness, but now you are light in Me. Walk in that light—not as one still groping through the shadows, but as one who sees with clarity and lives with purpose. I have made you a fragrance to the Father, just as Christ was, because you are in Him. You do not offer Me your goodness to earn My favor; you walk in goodness because My Spirit dwells within you.
Cast aside what belongs to your former identity: impurity, greed, careless words, and self-serving desires. These are not fitting for My saints. Instead, let thanksgiving rise from your lips like a morning breeze, light and lifting, bearing witness to your trust in My goodness.
You are not merely filled with knowledge, but with Me. As you yield to My presence, songs rise in your heart, encouragement flows to others, and humility becomes your posture. The world longs for something real, and when you walk as light, you expose what is false and awaken those who slumber.
Awake, beloved. Rise into what I have made you to be. Christ shines upon you not as a distant sun, but as indwelling radiance. His love compels you to love—sacrificially, joyfully, fully. In your marriage, in your friendships, in your gatherings, reflect the mystery of My union with you. Submit, not as one beneath, but as one lifted by grace. Love, not as one striving, but as one resting in the love you have received.
This is not merely instruction; it is the outflow of who you are. You are My beloved, joined to Christ, radiant and holy, without spot or blemish. Walk, then, in this union. Not with anxiety or pressure, but with assurance. You are My body. You are My dwelling place. And I am your life.
(Ephesians 5:1–2, 3–7, 8–14, 15–21, 22–33; Romans 13:11–14; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Colossians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:5–8; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Titus 3:5)
Prayer
Father, I thank You for shaping my life around the love and sacrifice of Christ. You have not only given me the example of Jesus—You have given me His very life within. I rejoice that I am not left to imitate You in my own effort, but that I walk by Your Spirit, filled with thanksgiving and joy. Thank You for transforming how I speak, how I love, how I submit, and how I walk in this world. I trust You to continue revealing Christ through me in every relationship, especially in the places where love must lead and sacrifice must flow. I rest in You, my Source and sufficiency.
Credits
Insights adapted from the Grace and Truth Study Bible
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