As a priest, my journey in interpreting and understanding the scriptures has often led me back to one key theme: the act of love. The essence of this discussion rings true in Ephesians 5:1-2 where the scripture says, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (ESV). I have come to understand that walking in love means embodying God’s actions and behaviors, just as Jesus did.
Ephesians 5:2 metaphorically uses the word “walk” to emphasize the essence of our behavior and actions. We ‘walk in love’ when we imitate God. This emulation is comparable to how a child mimics his/her parents’ actions. In a similar vein, we are expected to copy God’s pattern of behavior as displayed by Jesus Christ, thus walking in love.
The Greek translation of love as used in this passage is ‘Agape’. Agape love is described as a sacrificial, selfless, and unconditional show of emotions validated through actions. It became the bedrock of God’s and Christ’s love for humanity as depicted in John 3:16 and 1 John 3:16 respectively. The apostle John reiterated in 1 John 4:9 (NLT) when he said, “God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him”.
One of the cornerstones of our faith is the ever-present notion that since God has shown us unconditional and sacrificial love, we should in turn love others in the same way. This guiding principle resonates when Jesus said, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13, NLT).
Building on this idea, Apostle Paul gave us an in-depth understanding of how to walk in love in 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 (NLT): “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance”. These manifestations of love serve as our guide and compass to walking in love.
In obeying God, we offer our lives as sacrifices to Him. This conforming, serving, and living committedly for God is what Paul describes in Ephesians 5:2 as “giving ourselves up”. When our demeanor aligns with God’s love, we are said to be walking in love. Paul further encourages believers to offer themselves as “a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1).
Walking in love is the ultimate demonstration of our allegiance to Jesus Christ for it proves to the world that we are His followers, according to John 13:35 (NLT). As God’s children, we are called to set aside our selfish desires for the sake of God and others. Even though we have freedom in Christ, we should use our liberty to serve one another in love, remembering the command: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5:13–14, NLT).
Our journey as followers of Christ encourages us to love each other “deeply with all your heart” (1 Peter 1:22, NLT). This intense, selfless emulation of God’s divine agape is what it truly means to walk in love. This principle is fundamental to us as believers and followers of Christ.
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