Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Ephesians 5:1‭-‬2

Paul continues his challange to the Ephesians, continuing from chapter 4’s encouragement to take off the old sinful nature/lifestyle, and to put on the new. This may mean leaving behind our old grudges and habits that grieve God’s Holy Spirit and to be kind and forging toward each other because Jesus has done this for us!

So he says to imitate God in all we do, because He’s our Father and we’re His children! How is God? Kind, forgiving, full of grace towards us and patient with us. We should show these characteristics to each other!

Pual then reminds the Ephesians (& us) to  “Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.” Now there’s a tall order, lol. We live in a world where at least our culture looks out for #1-ourselves, surrounds ourselves with self endulgances because we deserve them and in our independance,  often refuse to truely cray out God for help until times get very tough! God says to leave these types of attitudes and world-views behind and to instead, adopted Jesus’ example! “He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us…”

One book over, Ephesian’s writer, Paul talks about how Jesus, the Creator and King of the entire universe, said “He gave up His divine privileges ; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:7‭-‬8) THAT’S WHAT JESUS DID FOR US and that’s Who we are to imitate!

Our lifestyles should not be self-seeking, self-pampering & self-serving, it should be SELF-SACRIFINING, just like Jesus’s was!

Again, this is a very tall order and completely unreachable in our own strength! We must daily choose to “live by the Spirit” and follow His leadership, strength and promptings, not our own!

Love each other like Jesus did! Sacrifice for each other like Jesus did!

Think about it!