Be Imitators of God (and love)!

Ephesians 5:1–2 CSB

Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.

This passage in Ephesians is quite extraordinary. It is a high calling to love as God has loved and to sacrifice as Christ has sacrificed. In the same moment I am both inspired and apprehensive. I am inspired by the high calling. I am apprehensive in that I am wholly inadequate to call.

Paul has just encouraged the Ephesian Church to build up others in love. He also indicates that the Christian life is a putting off of the old self and putting on of the new self (See Ephesians 4:17-5:5).

The things that related to the old self are: corruption, evil desires, lies, unresolved anger, theft, foul language, grieving the Holy Spirit, bitterness, anger, wrath, shouting, slander, malice, sexual immorality, impurity, greed, obscene behavior, foolish nonsense talk, and sharp caustic joking.

That is contrasted with the new self which includes: renewed minds, righteousness, truth, settling anger, honest work, sharing with those in need, encouraging words, grace toward those we talk with, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, sacrifice, and the giving of thanks.

In this way these two are a stark contrast by which we can easily determine what sort of spirit is in the man. Does he more accurately reflect the new man that God has called him to live out. Or does he continue to dwell in the darkness of the old man.

Let’s make it more personal. Honest moment here. Reading through the list of the old self do you see anything for which you need to call upon the Lord to rescue you from? Again the old self is associated with: corruption, evil desires, lies, unresolved anger, theft, foul language, grieving the Holy Spirit, bitterness, anger, wrath, shouting, slander, malice, sexual immorality, impurity, greed, obscene and foolish nonsense talk, and sharp caustic joking. When a person claiming to follow Christ acts in this way we can safely conclude that he or she is more friends with the world than they are friends with Christ.

However, the absence of evil does not necessarily result in good. We as believers are called to put on the new man. Do you cultivate these virtues in your daily life? Again the new self is associated with: renewed minds, righteousness, truth, settling anger, honest work, sharing with those in need, encouraging words, grace toward those we talk with, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, sacrifice, and the giving of thanks.

There is a word that summarizes these things, “LOVE.” We are called to “imitate God” and “walk in love.” The imitation of God is to walk in love. Love and being like God are so intimately connected that this love is the very nature of what it means to be a follower of Christ. In fact Christ is held up as the example of sacrificial love that we are to have for others. This sacrifice of love is the very fragrant offering that is pleasing to God. This love is affectionate cherishing, esteeming, positive regard, kindness, care and concern for the wellbeing of others. This Godly love is the mark of a genuine believer.