26.01.2021
IBC Admin
"Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
(Eph 5:1–2)
When the Apostle Paul invites us to become an "imitator of God" and "walk in love" in Ephesians 5:1-2, he is inviting us to walk like Jesus. Jesus demonstrated in His life two things we can also reflect as God changes and transforms us.
First, we can become an imitator of life by living a life of self-lessness rather than self-ishness. One puts the needs of others before oneself, the other puts self-first. Jesus in every waking moment of His ministry on earth reflected a life that was committed to doing His Father's will and serving those around Him. "The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve." (Matt 20:28)
A life that is self-less is a life that imitates God, who does not work from a place of need or want, but from a place of generosity and love. Counter to godliness is a life that is committed to seeking its own interests first, living for immorality and pleasure and a life that is self-directed rather than directed towards a mission to improve the world and people around us.
One lives from abundance, taking from what God has given and giving to others. The other lives from poverty, never satisfied with what one has, always looking for more. One leads to joy and freedom and a life rich with God's presence. The other leads to worry and fear, concerned that that one does not have enough or will lose what one has.
Secondly, we can become an imitator by God by seeing the cross of Jesus Christ and how His expression of sacrifice for our sin becomes a perfect example of love. Romans 5:8, "God demonstrated His love in this, while we were sinners, Christ died for us." The cross not only becomes the means of our salvation, where we ae forgiven and have eternal life, but the cross of Christ also demonstrates to us God's love that was fully poured out for us.
When we live with a willingness to give ourselves away completely for God's cause, than what Jesus said will be also true of us, "He who seeks to save His live will lose it, BUT he who loses His life for my sake will save it." When we are willing to surrender all and give it away for the Lord than we become and "imitator of God... walking in love." That is a life living for and leads to transformation and change with God's blessing and favor.