Ephesians 5:1-2

Ephesians 5:1-2

Therefore become imitators of God as beloved children and walk in love just as Christ loved us and handed Himself over for our sake as an offering and sacrifice to God into a fragrant aroma.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Imitation.  Who among us really likes to imitate other people?  Truthfully, we all like to imitate other people; but we’d rather not confess it.  While we are natural imitators, we like to think ourselves to be unique.  Paul reminds us that our nature is imitation, not uniqueness.  Therefore, if our nature is to imitate, then we should imitate God.

Do you think of yourself as an imitator?  Why does being an imitator have a negative connotation?  What in God do you think you should imitate?

Second Thought:

The second thing Paul tells us to do is to live like children and walk in love.  I think this is one of my favorite dynamics that little children have.  Little children – until they are taught otherwise – love their parents so much that they can’t often see their flaws.  Little children inherently desire to please their parents.  Little children trust their parents.  Paul tells us that we should be like them.  We need to love like they love; we need to live like they live.  Too often our love and trust is blinded by real experience.  But we serve a God who exceeds the real experience.

Do you love as a child loves?  Who is it easy to love this way?  Who is it difficult to love this way?

Third Thought:

Speaking of love, Paul gives us a great example.  Jesus loved unconditionally.  Jesus gave up His own life for the sake of people who did not deserve it.  Jesus gave up His life for people whom He needed to look beyond their faults and failings.  Jesus trusted the Father in that His sacrifice would not be in vain.  In doing these things, Jesus became a pleasing aroma before the Lord.

How do you feel Jesus’ unconditional love?  What failings does Jesus look beyond as He dies for your sake?

Passage for Tomorrow: Ephesians 5:3-5