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.

Ephesians 5:1, 2

WALK IN THE WAY OF LOVE! I often pass over some passage without thinking much about what the Word is really saying, the flow of nice words seems to calm my spirit.  But that is missing the point.  The Scriptures speak to the heart.

This is what I hear, “Walk in the way of love.”  Walk means going forward on our journey while the phrase, “in the way of love” is much harder than that to fully comprehend.  Let’s think about it.

I consider some alternatives.  Walk in a hurry.  Walk to get what you are after.  Walk to improve your condition.  Walk to leave where you are to get on with life. None of these thoughts are even close to what the Word is really saying.

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.  Can I do this – love as Christ loved me?  How much was that?  So much so that he gave himself up for me so that I can be “fragrant” offerings to God.  It is not my giving myself to God but Christ offering me to God!  On what basis? That he gave himself as a sacrifice to God and in turn offers me as that sacrifice.  My mind baulks at this, but my heart bows in grateful praise.

May I, as Paul urges, “Follow God’s example.”