Walking in Faith: Identity, Love, and Holiness
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into Ephesians Chapter 5, focusing on the practical aspects of living out our faith. We began by reaffirming our identity in Christ: we are blessed, chosen, predestined, adopted, accepted, redeemed, and sealed. This identity is not self-declared but given by God. The first three chapters of Ephesians emphasize the wealth of the believer, while the last three chapters focus on the walk of the believer. Paul urges us to not just talk the talk but to walk the walk, living out our faith in tangible ways.
We explored the call to be imitators of God, walking in love as Christ loved us. This love is agape—unconditional and unrestrained. We discussed the importance of living a holy life, not to appease God but to stay free from the enemy's inroads into our lives. Sin opens doors to darkness, and as children of light, we are called to walk in the light, exposing the unfruitful works of darkness.
We also touched on the importance of redeeming the time, making the most of every opportunity for God's glory. This involves walking circumspectly, carefully measuring each step in our journey. We are to be filled continually with the Holy Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, maintaining a heart of gratitude.
Finally, we addressed the often-misunderstood topic of submission within marriage. Submission is voluntary and rooted in love and respect. Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church, and wives are to respect their husbands. This mutual submission fosters a healthy, God-honoring relationship.
### Key Takeaways
1. Identity in Christ: Our identity is not self-declared but given by God. We are blessed, chosen, predestined, adopted, accepted, redeemed, and sealed. This foundational truth shapes how we live and interact with the world. Understanding our identity in Christ empowers us to walk in the fullness of God's promises. [01:38]
2. Walking in Love: We are called to be imitators of God, walking in agape love—unconditional and unrestrained. This love is not just a feeling but an action, demonstrated through our daily interactions and sacrifices. Walking in love means reflecting God's character in every aspect of our lives. [03:37]
3. Living a Holy Life: Holiness is not about appeasing God but about staying free from the enemy's influence. Sin opens doors to darkness, but as children of light, we are called to walk in the light. Living a holy life protects us from the enemy's schemes and keeps us aligned with God's will. [09:22]
4. Redeeming the Time: We are to walk circumspectly, making the most of every opportunity for God's glory. This involves being mindful of our steps and seeking Kairos moments—divine opportunities within our chronological time. Redeeming the time means living purposefully and intentionally for God's kingdom. [21:26]
5. Mutual Submission in Marriage: Submission within marriage is voluntary and rooted in love and respect. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church, and wives are to respect their husbands. This mutual submission fosters a healthy, God-honoring relationship, reflecting the unity and love between Christ and the church. [30:50]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:50] - Opening Prayer
[01:38] - Our Identity in Christ
[02:05] - Wealth and Walk of the Believer
[02:51] - Walking the Walk
[03:37] - Be Imitators of God
[04:06] - Walking in Love
[05:29] - The Importance of Love
[06:05] - Living a Holy Life
[09:22] - Sin and Darkness
[10:43] - Children of Light
[12:11] - Finding God's Will
[12:54] - Exposing Darkness
[15:47] - Ministering Righteousness
[21:26] - Redeeming the Time
[25:00] - Being Filled with the Spirit
[26:33] - Submitting to One Another
[30:50] - Submission in Marriage
[35:48] - Headship and Authority
[43:52] - Love and Respect
[46:15] - Walking in Love, Light, and Circumspectly
[46:53] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV): "Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
2. Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV): "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."
3. Ephesians 5:21-22 (NIV): "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord."
### Observation Questions
1. What are the key aspects of our identity in Christ as mentioned in the sermon? ([01:38])
2. According to Ephesians 5:1-2, how are we called to walk in love, and what example are we to follow? ([03:37])
3. What does it mean to "redeem the time" as explained in Ephesians 5:15-16? ([21:26])
4. How does the sermon describe the concept of mutual submission in marriage? ([30:50])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding our identity in Christ (blessed, chosen, predestined, adopted, accepted, redeemed, and sealed) influence our daily walk and interactions with others? ([01:38])
2. What practical steps can believers take to walk in agape love, as Christ loved us, in their daily lives? ([03:37])
3. Why is it important to live a holy life, not to appease God, but to stay free from the enemy's influence? How does this align with the concept of being children of light? ([09:22])
4. How can the principle of redeeming the time be applied in our modern context, and what are some examples of Kairos moments we should be looking for? ([21:26])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your identity in Christ. How does knowing you are blessed, chosen, and redeemed change the way you view yourself and your purpose? ([01:38])
2. Think of a recent situation where you had the opportunity to walk in agape love. How did you respond, and what could you do differently next time to better reflect Christ's love? ([03:37])
3. Identify an area in your life where you might be allowing sin to open doors to darkness. What steps can you take to close those doors and walk in the light? ([09:22])
4. How can you be more intentional about redeeming the time in your daily routine? Share a specific example of a Kairos moment you experienced or missed recently. ([21:26])
5. In your marriage or close relationships, how can you practice mutual submission rooted in love and respect? What changes can you make to foster a healthier, God-honoring relationship? ([30:50])
6. How can you ensure that you are being filled continually with the Holy Spirit? What practices can you incorporate into your daily life to maintain a heart of gratitude and spiritual songs? ([25:00])
7. Reflect on the concept of walking circumspectly. What are some practical ways you can measure each step in your journey to ensure you are living wisely and making the most of every opportunity? ([19:08])
Devotional
Day 1: Our Identity in Christ
Our identity is not self-declared but given by God. We are blessed, chosen, predestined, adopted, accepted, redeemed, and sealed. This foundational truth shapes how we live and interact with the world. Understanding our identity in Christ empowers us to walk in the fullness of God's promises. This identity is not something we earn or create for ourselves; it is a gift from God, rooted in His love and grace. When we grasp this truth, it transforms our perspective and behavior, enabling us to live confidently and purposefully.
Knowing who we are in Christ helps us to resist the lies and accusations of the enemy. It grounds us in the truth of God's Word and His promises. As we embrace our identity in Christ, we can walk in the assurance that we are deeply loved and valued by God, which in turn empowers us to love and serve others. [01:38]
Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV): "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."
Reflection: How does understanding your identity in Christ change the way you view yourself and your purpose in life? What steps can you take today to live more fully in this truth?
Day 2: Walking in Love
We are called to be imitators of God, walking in agape love—unconditional and unrestrained. This love is not just a feeling but an action, demonstrated through our daily interactions and sacrifices. Walking in love means reflecting God's character in every aspect of our lives. It involves putting others' needs before our own and showing kindness, patience, and forgiveness, even when it is difficult.
Agape love is a selfless, sacrificial love that seeks the best for others. It is the kind of love that Jesus demonstrated on the cross, and it is the love that we are called to emulate. By walking in love, we become a living testimony of God's love to the world, drawing others to Him through our actions and attitudes. [03:37]
1 John 4:11-12 (ESV): "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us."
Reflection: Think of a specific person or situation where you can demonstrate agape love today. What practical steps can you take to show unconditional and selfless love in that context?
Day 3: Living a Holy Life
Holiness is not about appeasing God but about staying free from the enemy's influence. Sin opens doors to darkness, but as children of light, we are called to walk in the light. Living a holy life protects us from the enemy's schemes and keeps us aligned with God's will. Holiness involves setting ourselves apart for God's purposes and living in a way that honors Him.
As we pursue holiness, we become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading and more aware of the areas in our lives that need transformation. It is a continuous process of growth and sanctification, where we strive to reflect God's character in our thoughts, words, and actions. [09:22]
1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you struggle with sin. What steps can you take to walk in the light and pursue holiness in that area?
Day 4: Redeeming the Time
We are to walk circumspectly, making the most of every opportunity for God's glory. This involves being mindful of our steps and seeking Kairos moments—divine opportunities within our chronological time. Redeeming the time means living purposefully and intentionally for God's kingdom. It requires us to be aware of how we spend our time and to prioritize activities that have eternal significance.
By redeeming the time, we align our lives with God's purposes and make a lasting impact for His kingdom. It involves being proactive in our faith, seeking opportunities to serve, share the gospel, and grow in our relationship with God. [21:26]
Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV): "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Reflection: Reflect on how you spend your time each day. What changes can you make to ensure that you are making the most of every opportunity for God's glory?
Day 5: Mutual Submission in Marriage
Submission within marriage is voluntary and rooted in love and respect. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church, and wives are to respect their husbands. This mutual submission fosters a healthy, God-honoring relationship, reflecting the unity and love between Christ and the church. It involves putting each other's needs before our own and working together as a team.
Mutual submission is not about one person dominating the other, but about both partners serving and honoring each other. It creates an environment of trust, support, and love, where both individuals can thrive and grow in their relationship with God and each other. [30:50]
Ephesians 5:21-23 (ESV): "Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior."
Reflection: In what ways can you show love and respect to your spouse today? How can you practice mutual submission in your marriage to foster a God-honoring relationship?
Quotes
1. "You are blessed. Come on, everybody say it. I am blessed. You are. That's what Ephesians says you are. You are chosen. You are predestined. You are adopted. You are accepted. You are redeemed, and you are sealed. That's what it says you are. This is your identity. This is who you are in Jesus. Okay, everybody? Now, I said it at the beginning, and I want to continue to say it. You have no right to self-identify. The one who calls you who you are is God. God. And you don't have any right to declare what you are. God says who you are." [01:38] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You cannot give what you do not have. You can't give love unless you have love. God is love. When you have God, you have love. But when you don't have God, you don't have love. And I know, I know there's a, there's an understanding in the world that the world says, well, you got to love people and love this and love that. But a lot of people who talk about that don't even have God and they can't have, they don't have God. So how could they possibly understand love? You got to have love. You got to have love. And to have love, you have to have God." [04:41] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When your theology changes your behavior, that's where the challenge is. That's where the challenge is. So let's get right into it. Ephesians chapter 5 verse 1. Therefore, be imitators of God, dear children. The bottom line is this. The bottom line is this. You need to act like your father. Now, I know some of you were told don't be like your father. But in this case, we're talking about Father God and we're talking about him. Be imitators of your father. He goes on to say, and walk in love. Listen, it's all about the walk. Walk in love. Walk in love. Walk in love. Walk in love. Three times in this chapter, you're going to see this. This idea of walk, walk, walk." [03:37] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When you sin or live in lifestyle of sin, even as a believer, what you're really doing is this is my silly acronym sin. Satan's in now. Okay. He's in now every time we sin or we operate in uncleanliness of any time, we are opening a door to the adversary and you say, well, why is that? How does the devil have an inroad into my life? Because I may be lie, chill, steal or cheat or whatever. Here's why. Listen to this. Satan doesn't have authority of over you as a child of God. He doesn't have that right. But when you sin and you imitate his behavior, you've opened the door to darkness. The enemy does have authority. Everybody in darkness. He rules in the darkness. You are the children of light. You are not to walk in darkness, but when you walk in darkness, you open up a door to the adversary because he operates in the darkness." [09:58] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Walk circumspectly, not as fools or as unwise. Why? Because unwise people just walk and they don't really care where they're ending up in life. Can I tell you? You're not fools and you're not unwise. You should recognize how you're walking. And if you're not moving in the direction you know and God knows you're not supposed to go, you should take account and go, okay, hold up. Let's change the way we're walking. Make sense? Look at this next part. He says, not as fools or as unwise. Redeeming the time. Redeeming the time. Everybody say time. Time. One more time. Say time. Time." [21:00] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "It's not about counting time, but it's about making time count for you. Okay? So, when he says, let's put it in context now and put it all together. He says, when you walk on this planet, walk circumspectly. Walk carefully. Why? You're going to walk carefully, because in, watch this, in Kronos time, you're looking for Kairos moments. You're looking for moments where you and God encounter each other, and you encounter someone else, and you make a difference. So, you should not run through this. You should walk. You should walk. You should take account in looking for God in each and every moment so that you are redeeming the time. You're taking advantage of the opportunities that God has for you while you're living on this planet, because there is a day coming when you're not going to be here anymore, and those days are gone. You have to do it now, and you have to take your time and walk it out." [24:24] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Submitting one to another in the fear of God. Is that what it says? It says it. All right? And everybody's like quiet. Why are you so quiet? You know where it's going? Here it is. Submitting one to another. Let me ask you a question. Does that mean I submit to you? Yes. Submitting one to another. Submitting one to another. Am I another? Am I to submit to you? Are you to submit to me? Are we to submit to each other in the body of Christ? Absolutely. We all submit to each other. We all love each other. We submit to each other. We applaud each other. We cry together. We celebrate together. Come on. Y'all getting what I'm saying? We submit to each other. Now, here's the deal. That's within the body of Christ for sure." [26:33] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Submission is voluntary. My goodness, Lord help us. Pastor, she needs to submit. I wouldn't. And I ain't telling her that either. Why? Submission is voluntary. Submission is voluntary. Lovingly yielding, not dominating and demanding. Lovingly yielding. That's what it is. The example is Christ and the church. How many of you believe we should submit ourselves to Christ? Raise your hand. Come on, Peru. I hope you got your hands up. All right. You should want, why do you submit to Christ? Watch this. Here's the revelation. Because he loves me more than I love myself. He wants to take care of me more than I want to take care of myself. He has my best interests at hand at every moment, at every time. I have no problem submitting completely to him because I know his heart for me. A woman who understands the man's heart for her won't have no problem submitting. Won't have no problem submitting." [33:08] (66 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "The husband bears the responsibility first. Well, I just want her. Stop. Are you doing your part? If you will do her part, or I'm sorry, if you will do your part, she will do her part. Listen to the next part. It says, let each one of you in particular love his own wife as himself and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Two more seconds on this. It's the husband's job to love his wife. Why? Because the wife needs love. It's the woman's responsibility, the wife's responsibility, to respect. Men might hear it this way. Honor her husband. To respect her husband. No man ever goes to work going, man, I hope somebody loves me today. If you go to work and you say that as a dude, we're taking your man card. Because men don't do that. Men can go to work with a bunch of people that hate them. They can go to work with a bunch of people that hate them. Here's what they won't go to work for. They won't go to work for people that don't respect them. Why? Because a man needs respect. And a woman is the one who gives him respect." [43:52] (71 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Walk in love. Walk in love. That's agape. Walk in light. And walk circumspectly. Redeeming the time. Honoring the husband and wife relationship so that you can take advantage of every Kairos moment that you have in life. Are y'all picking it up? Praise God. Are you? Blessed?" [46:15] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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