Key Verse: “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.” (Ephesians 5:1-2 CSB)
There typically comes a point as an adult when you begin to recognize that you’re starting to say and do things that your parents did. It may be certain expressions, mannerisms, things you say to your kids, or personality traits that are a direct reflection of your parents in you. It’s natural in many ways for us to mimic or copy what we’ve seen in them.
In a similar way, the Apostle Paul wrote that we ought to reflect or mimic our Father in Heaven. “Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children” (v.1), he said. As those who have received His incredible love and mercy, and have been adopted as His daughters and sons, we have been called to look and live just like God.
Of course, there are certain things about God that we are unable to imitate. We can’t mimic His creative power, His perfect wisdom and knowledge, or His presence everywhere. However, there are many other things about God that we can choose to imitate.
Paul tells us that one of the primary ways we do so is through a life of love toward others. “Walk in love”, Paul wrote. Live and behave in such a way that demonstrates the love of God that you have received from Him.
What does it look then like to “walk in love”? Our example in this of course is Jesus Christ. Paul wrote, “walk in love, as Christ also loved us.” Jesus said, “For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you” (John 13:15). The way that we walk in love is by aligning ourselves in every way with Jesus, and doing the things that He has done for us.
The kind of love that Jesus demonstrated was a sacrificial love. Paul wrote, “walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us” (v.2). Jesus’ love for us was in no way self-serving. Rather, He willingly and humbly chose to lay down His life through His sacrifice on the cross. Jesus said, “No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). He gave of Himself for us by dying the death that we deserved so that we could experience abundant life forever with God.
In a similar way, we are called as beloved children of God to lay down our lives for the sake of others. Every time we choose to seek the interests of others ahead of our own, we are walking in love. Every time we serve the needs of others first, even when it costs us, we are walking in love.
This kind of life of love is what pleases God. Paul wrote that to walk in love, just like Christ did, is “a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God” (v.2). Every act of selfless love is a pleasant aroma to God who sees all that we do. He looks with favour upon those who choose to walk in this way.
What does it look like for you to walk in love today? In what circumstances or with what people do you find it most difficult? Invite God’s Spirit to help you lay down your own interests for the interests of others. Find ways today to walk in love, just as Christ has loved you.
Prayer: Jesus, just as you have loved me, I want to love others today. Help me, Holy Spirit, to walk in love. Grant me the strength to serve the interests of others ahead of my own. I pray that the path of love that I walk today would be a pleasant offering to you. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
