Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 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.
Ephesians 5:1-2
Ephesians 5:1 is a verse I have thought about for decades. In fact, I first underlined it in high school and I’ve been pondering it ever since.
Look at the phrasing: “Be imitators of God.”
What a command and what a nearly impossible instruction to live out. Be imitators of God?
But when I look closer, as I just did recently (I’m leading a Young Adult Bible Study through the book of Ephesians), I see a fascinating truth that comes after the instruction: Walk in the way of love.
Paul isn’t calling us to imitate God in everything He is and does—that would be overwhelming and impossible. Paul is specifically calling us to imitate God in how He loves others.
Now, again, this isn’t easy to do. But it does narrow the focus in a helpful way.
Paul is telling us to love other people in the same way that the Lord loves us:
Unconditionally. Sacrificially. With patience, mercy, and grace.
That’s not an easy love to practice. But it is the kind of love we are called to pursue.
So here’s a simple challenge for today: what if you made it your intentional aim—just for one day—to love the people around you the way God has loved you?
What if you approached your conversations at home with more patience?
What if you spoke to your coworkers with more kindness?
What if you looked at the people around you with compassion instead of judgment?
What if you treated the cashier with the same love that Christ has for you?
What if you gave more freely, forgave more readily, and served more willingly?
It would change the way you talk. The way you look at people. The way you think about them.
It might even change you.
So today, remember who you are—God’s dearly loved child.
And then, in His strength, imitate Him.
Prayer
Father, thank You for loving me with a love that is patient, faithful, sacrificial, and full of grace. Help me to walk in that love today and imitate You in how I love the people around me. Amen.