In Ephesians 5 we are told to “follow God’s example” and to “walk in the way of love.” Paul writes, “Just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV). When I read the Message translation of this passage, two words pop out—“Keep company.”
Keep company with Him. Keep company with God. Well what does it mean to keep company? It means to be with, to stay with, to spend time with. It also means to associate with or be connected with a person. So how does one keep company with God? Through prayer. Through worship. Through reading God’s Word. Through serving God’s people.
Each of us can walk in love better, each of us can walk in Christ better by keeping company with God. Every so often I am given a glimpse of something that reminds me of where I once was in life. People pass me by, a song comes on the radio, I see something on the news, or something happens and it reminds me of where I used to be in life. Then I thank God for where I am now. I know I’m not where I’m supposed to be, but I know that I have changed so much because I continue to keep company with my Father. I pray today you’ll do the same.
“Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.” – Ephesians 5:1-2 [MSG]
Tania Gutekunst 