A Walking Plan for the New Year

The beginning of a new calendar year often brings with it conversations of New Year’s resolutions, including getting in shape. Whether or not you plan to begin a new physical exercise regime in 2026, the Bible gives us a walking plan every believer should follow. Writing to the church in Ephesus, Paul tells believers all that Christ has done for them before exhorting them to live for Christ. They are to “put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24). In addition they are to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (v. 32). Building on these two exhortations Paul then exhorts them to walk in love, light and wisdom. Like the Ephesian believers, you and I need to be reminded to walk in a manner consistent with being a Christian.

Walk in Love

Paul begins his threefold walking plan in Ephesians 5:1-17 with a call to “walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us” (v. 2). He makes it clear that our love for one another must follow Christ’s selfless and sacrificial pattern. That is why Paul warns against lust, the opposite of love (vv. 3-7). For example, sexual immorality is coveting a sexual pleasure that isn’t ours to have. It’s a heart greedy for sexual gain.  While sexual immorality is a lust for persons, greed is a lust for possessions. Both easily become idols in our lives.

               Paul says such ungodliness “must not even be named among…[the] saints” (Eph. 5:3). Remember, Ephesus boasted of the temple of Artemis as one of the great wonders of the ancient world. The goddess Diana was multi-breasted and prostitution was part of religious practices. So sexual sin was rampant. Like the believers in Ephesus, sexual sin is prevalent in our cities. And like the Ephesian saints, we are to have no part in it. This includes forsaking “foolish talk” and “crude joking” as well (v. 4). Instead, we are to give thanks (v. 4). When our hearts are filled with thankfulness they are filled with worship of God. And worship of God starves sexual immorality, impurity and covetousness.

               Paul warns us that anyone who walks in lust “has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” (Eph. 5:5). To walk in lust is characteristic of “the sons of disobedience” (v. 6). Since believers have escaped God’s wrath through the redeeming blood of Christ, they are not to partner with such impurity (v. 7). They must walk in love, not lust.

Walk in Light

Just as Christ’s love enables a believer to turn from lusting to loving, so too the light of Christ transforms a believer from darkness to “light in the Lord” (Eph. 5:8). Therefore, we are to “walk as children of light” (v. 8). One way to discern if we are walking in the light is to examine the fruit of our lives, “for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true” (v. 9). We must “discern what is pleasing to the Lord” (v. 10) by directing our steps according to Scripture. We are to “take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness” (v. 11), such as “sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness” (v. 3), “but instead expose them” (v. 11). Magnificently, the light of the Lord not only has the power to bring hidden sins to light, but also to shine upon the spiritually dead, so that all who are called will be sanctified and walk in the light of Christ.

Walk in Wisdom

Believers are not just called to walk in love and light, they are also called to “walk, not as unwise but as wise” (Eph. 5:15). To begin, we must fear the Lord and embrace wisdom and instruction (Pr. 1:7). Also, walking wisely means “making the best use of the time” (v. 16). Time is a treasure from the Lord that is to be stewarded well for His glory. This means that we should strive to redeem every moment for the kingdom of God.

               To fear the Lord is the opposite of foolishness (Eph. 5:17). We fear Him by walking in the wisdom of His Word, applying His commandments to all of life. For example, the woman following folly seeks worldly charm and beauty, but the woman following wisdom fears the Lord by humbly recognizing Him as Creator and Redeemer and ordering her life in conformity to His commands (see Prov. 31:30).

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By all means, choose a walking plan for 2026 that will help you get the recommended steps per day. But more importantly, choose each day to walk in the love of Christ, the light of the Lord, and the wisdom of God.