“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

What if it really were that simple–to walk in the way of love? Maybe it is. Simple to acknowledge, a little less simple to live, but possible. Not in our own strength, of course, but by the power of the Holy Spirit within us, we can walk in the way of love. Even when it feels impossible.

The key is to decide ahead of time. To have already determined that is the course of action so when faced with the choice, the decision has already been made. When my kids were teenagers, I would tell them to make the decision of how they would respond in situations where temptation was present. If they waited until they were in the moment and confronted with the temptation, then the likelihood increased that they would select the less wise path. To walk in the way of love is no different.

When Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesians, he begins this section by saying, “follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children.” In the previous chapter, Paul had been laying the foundation of what the Christian walk looks like lived out in everyday life. He reminded them of who they were before they encountered the gospel of Jesus Christ, and their lives were transformed. He told them they were not those people anymore, that they were to put off the former way of living and put on the new way of life in Christ. To be like God in true righteousness and holiness (see Ephesians 4:17-24).

Paul explains what all of this looks like and then he lands the plane, “Follow God’s example.” A high calling. An impossible standard, yet possible. He reminds them that they are the dearly loved children of God, just like we are. And then says, put on that title of dearly loved child and walk in the way of love. Walk in the way of love.

What is the way of love? Paul did not leave any room for doubt what he meant with those words: “just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.” Jesus is our example of love. Jesus modeled for us how to love others during His time on earth. Jesus’ love was selfless and sacrificial. Jesus’ love was for the glory of God and the good of others. Love is active, not merely words. Jesus gave up His very life for us because He loved us so much that He wanted to pay the price our sins deserved–a price we could never pay on our own. And He was utterly innocent and entirely perfect. Jesus was the only one who was without sin who had the right to cast stones at us. But He didn’t. Instead, He took that wrath upon Himself. He walked in the way of love.

When Jesus was tired, hungry, attacked, ridiculed, He did not become defensive or lash out in irritability. He chose the way of love. You and I, we, are not perfect like Jesus was. Which means we are not going to get it right every time. We may not even get it right 50% of the time, but by His grace, we can try again the next time to walk in the way of love. We can make it our aim to follow His example. 

The way of love follows in the footsteps of Jesus. When we are at a crossroads, and we have the option of which path to choose, we must ask ourselves which one is the way of love, the way of Jesus. That is the road we follow. The first step is to decide in advance that we will walk in the way of love. Then, when we are presented with the opportunity before us to choose, we look to Jesus and ask Him which is His way.

It’s important to remember that to walk in the way of love does not mean we allow ourselves to become a doormat or the punching bag for people. To walk in the way of love is to follow the example of Jesus. Jesus was NOT a doormat. Jesus was honest, direct, and He spoke truth, even when His way was unpopular. This section of Paul’s letter begins with the call to follow God’s example and to walk in the way of love. To know what God’s example is we must be in His Word in order to know Him.

When we begin to own our identity as dearly loved children, and we grow in our understanding of how loved we are by God, then our response, our natural response, becomes to walk in the way of love.

For me, life often poses a challenge to walk in the way of love. And by life, what I most often mean is my own sinful nature and selfish tendencies that often present a barrier on my path to walking in the way of love. My sense of justice and the desire for it can obscure my clear vision of the path. God keeps bringing me back to this concept: Trust Him enough to love others. 

Repeatedly in Scripture, especially in the Psalms, God is identified as our refuge, our rescuer, our protector. Psalm 91:2 reminds me, “I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.’” I can trust Him to be my refuge and my fortress as I seek to love others and walk in the way of love. And loving others is hard for me due to the hurts inflicted on me by others. To love others makes me vulnerable and gives people the power to hurt me. But trusting God is easier for me. So He has placed this challenge on my heart: Trust Him enough to love others.

As we begin this new year on our journeys with Jesus, let’s ask Him to illuminate for us the way of love that we may walk in it. Commit it to Him, and wait to see the joy and delights He will bring to us. Psalm 37:5 tells us, “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.” (Emphasis added is mine.)

Will you trust Him enough to walk in the way of love?