In verses 1 & 2, Paul gives a positive encouragement. In the next two verses, he gives direct instructions of what not to do. He then wraps in verse 5 with the explanation of why.
This follows on chapter 4, where Paul describes our life with Christ and each other as a “walk,” in which we bear each other up and support each other with our different gifts, but not walk in the ways of the world – taking off the old ways and putting on the new life we have been given. Instead of lies, we speak truth. Instead of anger forgiveness. Instead of stealing, hard work and generosity. Instead of bitterness and malice, encouragement. God works in us for our sanctification, but we have our part as well.
That’s the context in which Paul gives instruction to imitate God, “as dearly loved children. ” How does it motivate us to behave, in the midst of the awesome, immense love of God. We don’t need to earn His love, but rather return it in our imitative behavior.
That means, per verse 2, we are to “walk in love” in the same way God loves us. That means, like God, we are not here to excuse sin but to give ourselves up to overcome it. The sacrifices we make are like the sacrifices of the Old Testament, “a pleasing aroma” to God. But we must keep in mind what the prophets had to say about sacrifice – meaningless without the heart of love behind them. Our sacrifices, imitating Christ’s, are to unify that heart and action.
Next, within that context, he moves on to the negative prohibition section. But as you go through this, don’t forget that context, the context of the Father’s great love for us.
Paul’s warnings are like the warning labels on medication or cosmetics: “use as directed.” Both sex and speech are great gifts, fundamentally creative acts that, in their own way, are both imitative of God’s creative power – and both have great power to destroy if used improperly. Paul reiterates the Old Testament’s prohibitions on sexual immorality, behavior outside God’s design.
Next, he warns against impurity – something that feels more difficult to avoid these days of graphic TV and an internet that seems entirely obsessed with sex.
And then speech – James writes strongly about the untamable “strong poison” of the tongue. When considering how to use our words, again we should be imitating God. Are our words the words that Christ would use?
Then he comes to the biggest reason for all of us. This sin cuts us off from God. His kingdom cannot contain impurity or immorality. Our response to those things is, we are shown elsewhere in the scripture, directional: “flee from sexual immorality.”
So our part is to reorient our direction when it points away from God, as ever, to confess and repent and return to the arms of the Father to whom we are dearly loved children.
– Sermon Notes, Bart Hodgson, Seed Church, Lynnwood WA, January 10, 2021.