Day 1: imitate your life after god!
READ IT
Ephesians 5:1-5
Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, 2 and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. 3 But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints. 4 Obscene and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. 5 For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
TAKE IT TO HEART
Be Imitators of God
Be more like God. That seems like a daunting task. After all, how can we, with all our flaws and weaknesses, emulate the perfect Creator of the universe? Yet, in Ephesians 5:1-5, Paul encourages us to do just that. We are called to be “imitators of God,” reflecting His character in our daily lives.
To imitate God is to walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us. This love is not mere sentiment; it is sacrificial, putting the needs of others before our own, just as Jesus did when He laid down His life for us. Walking in love means showing kindness, patience, and forgiveness, even when it’s hard. It means looking beyond our own desires to see the needs of those around us and acting in a way that honors God.
Paul contrasts this divine love with the behaviors that should have no place in the life of a believer: sexual immorality, impurity, covetousness, and corrupt speech. These behaviors are a stark contrast to the selfless love of Christ. They stem from self-centeredness rather than self-sacrifice. Paul reminds us that as saints—those set apart for God’s purposes—our lives should reflect purity, gratitude, and holiness.
To imitate God also means to replace the negativity that can so easily fill our conversations with thanksgiving. Rather than engaging in filthiness, foolish talk, or crude joking, we are called to speak words that uplift, encourage, and glorify God. Our speech is a reflection of what is in our hearts, and as imitators of God, our hearts should overflow with gratitude and love.
In this passage, Paul challenges us to live lives that are distinctly different from the world around us. As we strive to imitate God, we will shine as lights in a dark world, reflecting His love, holiness, and grace to everyone we encounter.
Let us make it our daily prayer to be imitators of God, walking in love and purity, and allowing our lives to be a fragrant offering to Him.
LIVE IT
• How well do you imitate your Father in heaven? If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would those around you have enough evidence to convict you?
• Do you have an accountability partner in your life? Do you have that person who helps you when you are struggling or is honest about flaws they see in your Christian armor?
• Pray: Ask the Father to create a thirst within you for His Word. Read it and learn how you can better imitate God in a dark world.
GO DEEPER
Read James 1:22-27 and how we are to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. Read about how when we act in an unChristian way, we are like the man who looks in the mirror and forgets what he looks like. Take a look at yourself in your spiritual mirror today and what you see. What do you need to continue? What do you need to change?
Ephesians 5:1-5
Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, 2 and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. 3 But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints. 4 Obscene and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. 5 For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
TAKE IT TO HEART
Be Imitators of God
Be more like God. That seems like a daunting task. After all, how can we, with all our flaws and weaknesses, emulate the perfect Creator of the universe? Yet, in Ephesians 5:1-5, Paul encourages us to do just that. We are called to be “imitators of God,” reflecting His character in our daily lives.
To imitate God is to walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us. This love is not mere sentiment; it is sacrificial, putting the needs of others before our own, just as Jesus did when He laid down His life for us. Walking in love means showing kindness, patience, and forgiveness, even when it’s hard. It means looking beyond our own desires to see the needs of those around us and acting in a way that honors God.
Paul contrasts this divine love with the behaviors that should have no place in the life of a believer: sexual immorality, impurity, covetousness, and corrupt speech. These behaviors are a stark contrast to the selfless love of Christ. They stem from self-centeredness rather than self-sacrifice. Paul reminds us that as saints—those set apart for God’s purposes—our lives should reflect purity, gratitude, and holiness.
To imitate God also means to replace the negativity that can so easily fill our conversations with thanksgiving. Rather than engaging in filthiness, foolish talk, or crude joking, we are called to speak words that uplift, encourage, and glorify God. Our speech is a reflection of what is in our hearts, and as imitators of God, our hearts should overflow with gratitude and love.
In this passage, Paul challenges us to live lives that are distinctly different from the world around us. As we strive to imitate God, we will shine as lights in a dark world, reflecting His love, holiness, and grace to everyone we encounter.
Let us make it our daily prayer to be imitators of God, walking in love and purity, and allowing our lives to be a fragrant offering to Him.
LIVE IT
• How well do you imitate your Father in heaven? If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would those around you have enough evidence to convict you?
• Do you have an accountability partner in your life? Do you have that person who helps you when you are struggling or is honest about flaws they see in your Christian armor?
• Pray: Ask the Father to create a thirst within you for His Word. Read it and learn how you can better imitate God in a dark world.
GO DEEPER
Read James 1:22-27 and how we are to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. Read about how when we act in an unChristian way, we are like the man who looks in the mirror and forgets what he looks like. Take a look at yourself in your spiritual mirror today and what you see. What do you need to continue? What do you need to change?