LEARNING TO WALK

EPH. 5:1

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Back in the 1970s while I was visiting the Bill Rice Ranch, I had the opportunity to see Evangelist Ronnie Rice do imitations of several preachers. I saw him a few years later do some other imitations at Tennessee Temple University. My favorites were Dr. John R. Rice, Dr. Lee Roberson and Dr. Cliff Robinson. You say “Brother Rick, we have heard many people do imitations. We’ve even heard you do them.” That is true, but Ronnie has a unique style in his imitations because he has never heard a single one of these people speak. Brother Ronnie is deaf. Brother Ronnie’s imitations are almost completely visual. He would gesture like these men, makes facial expressions like these men, and WALK like these men.

Many people have distinctive walks.  Many actors have noticed this and incorporate it into their work. Now, you may or may not be able to do many imitations but if you are a Christian, as I am, Eph. 5:1 says there is one imitation we should do, and we should work on it until we have it down perfectly. The word “follower” is mimetes in the Greek; an imitator:--follower.

Some has pointedly said, ““Your walk talks and your talk talks, but your walk talks louder than your talk talks.” Recently I heard a man say we should listen to what people say but we should be more interested in what they do. Of course, he is right. As Christians, our words and walk should be the same.

Romans 2:21-23 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?

 

I. LEARN TO WALK IN LOVE [4:31-5:2]

 

1. The Example of God [4:31-32]

 

2. The Example of Loving Children [5:1] (agapetos)

 

3. The Example of Christ [5:2, 1 Peter 2:21]

 

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

 

II. LEARN TO WALK AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT [5:3-8]

 

1. Avoid Dark Acts [v. 3] (Walk saintly)

 

2. Avoid Dark Speech [v. 4] (Talk appropriately for a saint)

 

3. Avoid Dark Companions [v. 5-8] (Live in the light)

 

III. LEARN TO WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY [v. 9-17] (walking barefoot with broken glass on the floor)

 

1. A Separated Walk [v. 9-12]

 

2. A Shining Walk [v. 13-14, 1 Jn. 1:5-7]

 

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another , and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

“That is what is needed. Just turn on the light and it will show up everything that is contrary to it. In other words, you live the pure, holy, Christlike, godly, devoted life, and that in itself will be reproof enough of the iniquity abounding upon every hand.” - H. A. Ironside

 

3. A Wise Walk [v. 15-17]