Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love. – Ephesians 5:1-2
God’s family is precious. Once you have placed your faith in Christ’s atoning work, you are adopted into the family of God, you are His beloved child. Young children are great imitators of their parents, and a child in God’s family should be as well.
The apostle Paul encourages the believer to adopt the new life in Christ. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). These are godly qualities that are only accomplished under the influence of the Holy Spirit. To “walk in love” (Ephesians 5:2) is a Christ-like lifestyle. The impact of Christian love can be far-reaching.
Love in the family of God creates community, believers together with the same goals in mind – to give glory to God in all they do. In that vein, love will prompt obedience to the Lord. Love will provide motivation to think of others before yourself. It will move you to become more godly in your relationships, allowing the fruit of the Spirit to guide your everyday living (Galatians 5:22-23). Love is a stabilizing factor in relationships, allowing grace to permeate talk and actions.
Paul assures the believer that “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5). This is what makes imitating the Lord possible. As you study scripture, fellowship with other followers of Christ, and pray, you will come to know what God is really like. You can only imitate when you know what He loves and what He hates. Pray that the people of this nation, especially its governing officials, will open their hearts to hear God’s message in His Word.
Today’s Verse: Ephesians 5:1-2
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: John 15:12-17
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
