Bible Reading
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Ephesians 5:1-5
Ephesians 5:1-5
Devotional
Any parent can attest to the fact that children are natural imitators. This can be a wonderful thing, or it can be an embarrassing nightmare. For example; that word we thought we said in private that was overheard by a toddler and repeated at just the wrong time. Or the behavior we know is not our finest, which has been seen and imitated by our children in public. Children are imitators; they say what their parents say, act like their parents act, and adopt behaviors that their parents, siblings, or favorite celebrities model. They even imitate things their parents expressly tell them not to! This is why Paul uses this example of following God's example to paint a picture of how we as Christ followers should seek to imitate God. The best and most perfect example of God is Jesus Christ himself. In Christ, we see the perfect and full nature of God on display for all humanity to see and experience. If you are going to follow God's example, there is no better way than to look to and model the life of Jesus Christ.
Notice that Paul did not urge Christians to think about God, or admire God, or adore God, or even to learn as much as they can about God, though those are all important Christian duties. We are to imitate God. This is a call to practical, intentional action, which goes far beyond just our inner life with God. Paul had spent the previous chapter explaining in detail how Christians should relate to each other by walking in humility, and because of that walk, you should be imitators of God. The idea is simple; we cannot become complacent in comparing ourselves only to other people. Our standard for living a God-honoring life is not simply to be more holy or pious than the person standing next to us. Our standard and example for Christian living is Christ. We must lift our eyes heavenward instead of looking only at the fallible people we do life with. As we go about our individual lives, we must heed the idea of 1 Peter 1:15-16: as He who called you is holy, you must also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” God is our example and so is Christ, but also so much more than that. Many errors come into the church when Jesus is presented only as an example or model of behavior. We must always remember that we are not saved by the example of Jesus (though his example is very important). We are not saved because we became good like Jesus, or wise or loving like Jesus. We are saved by the blood of Jesus. Then, out of this incredible gift of grace, we choose by faith to live a life that reflects Jesus, and in doing so, this way of life becomes the single greatest form of evangelism we could ever hope to live out. We've used Charles Spurgeon quotes often in this devotional, but here is another addressing this topic: “What are we sent into the world for? Is it not that we may keep men in mind of God, whom they are most anxious to forget? If we are imitators of God, as dear children, they will be compelled to recollect that there is a God, for they will see his character reflected in ours. I have heard of an atheist who said he could get over every argument except the example of his godly mother: he could never answer that.”
Paul urges those who represent Christ and follow the example of God to walk in the way of love. This walk is a way of life that was so attractive to those in the Roman empire who saw it that they were drawn to become part of the Christian Community. It was true then and it is still true today. The problem with this is when the church community begins to become tainted through compromise. Paul describes this way of love as a walk that refuses to engage in even a hint of sexual immorality, impurity, greed, idolatry, obscenity, foolish talk, and coarse joking. But how can a person do this? The answer lies not in your own talents, abilities, and self-control, but in fixing your eyes heavenward, giving up your fallen flesh little by little, and day by day being clothed in Christ. This walk is the most powerful evangelical tool that we have and the way that a fallen and sinful world can be pulled out of the pit.
Notice that Paul did not urge Christians to think about God, or admire God, or adore God, or even to learn as much as they can about God, though those are all important Christian duties. We are to imitate God. This is a call to practical, intentional action, which goes far beyond just our inner life with God. Paul had spent the previous chapter explaining in detail how Christians should relate to each other by walking in humility, and because of that walk, you should be imitators of God. The idea is simple; we cannot become complacent in comparing ourselves only to other people. Our standard for living a God-honoring life is not simply to be more holy or pious than the person standing next to us. Our standard and example for Christian living is Christ. We must lift our eyes heavenward instead of looking only at the fallible people we do life with. As we go about our individual lives, we must heed the idea of 1 Peter 1:15-16: as He who called you is holy, you must also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” God is our example and so is Christ, but also so much more than that. Many errors come into the church when Jesus is presented only as an example or model of behavior. We must always remember that we are not saved by the example of Jesus (though his example is very important). We are not saved because we became good like Jesus, or wise or loving like Jesus. We are saved by the blood of Jesus. Then, out of this incredible gift of grace, we choose by faith to live a life that reflects Jesus, and in doing so, this way of life becomes the single greatest form of evangelism we could ever hope to live out. We've used Charles Spurgeon quotes often in this devotional, but here is another addressing this topic: “What are we sent into the world for? Is it not that we may keep men in mind of God, whom they are most anxious to forget? If we are imitators of God, as dear children, they will be compelled to recollect that there is a God, for they will see his character reflected in ours. I have heard of an atheist who said he could get over every argument except the example of his godly mother: he could never answer that.”
Paul urges those who represent Christ and follow the example of God to walk in the way of love. This walk is a way of life that was so attractive to those in the Roman empire who saw it that they were drawn to become part of the Christian Community. It was true then and it is still true today. The problem with this is when the church community begins to become tainted through compromise. Paul describes this way of love as a walk that refuses to engage in even a hint of sexual immorality, impurity, greed, idolatry, obscenity, foolish talk, and coarse joking. But how can a person do this? The answer lies not in your own talents, abilities, and self-control, but in fixing your eyes heavenward, giving up your fallen flesh little by little, and day by day being clothed in Christ. This walk is the most powerful evangelical tool that we have and the way that a fallen and sinful world can be pulled out of the pit.