Ephesians 4:31-5:2 Outline

Proposition: We are to put away attitudes words and actions that show resentment of God’s providence, and instead are to live lives of kindness and forgiveness, because of God’s kindness to and forgiveness of us. Indeed, we are to aim to be like God in our behavior, love like Christ loved us.

I. Put away sinful dispositions, attitudes, words and actions (31)
[Sinful inclinations]
4:31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

II. Instead, be kind and forgiving to one another, in light of God’s forgiveness of you (32) [Godly predispositions]
4:32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

III. Be like God, and live in love in light of Christ’s love for you (1-2)
[Responding to God's grace/Imitating God the Father and God the Son]
5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 5:2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.