Walk the Walk
Therefore, be imitators of God as his dearly loved children. And walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 EHV
“Therefore be imitators of God.” How is this possible? The book of Ephesians stresses that God has made us his dear children in Christ. We could never imitate God’s perfect holiness. The key is that we are to be imitators of God as his dearly loved children. The enabling source of our Christian walk (lifestyle) is the undeserved and total love of God.
We are encouraged to walk in love. We are to walk in love just as Christ loved us. God’s love is the powerful motivator and power in our lives. Jesus loved us and gave himself as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. In this picture from the Old Testament sacrifices, Jesus’ blood and death are the once and for all sacrifice that removes all our sins and gives us everlasting life. It also enables us to be imitators of God.
But the flip side is the warning against a walk or lifestyle contrary to our walk as loved children of God. Chapter five of Ephesians is full of practical examples of a lifestyle which are not proper for those who have been made saints through the love of Jesus.
The sins of the flesh are many. Sexual immorality, impurity, or greed should not even be hinted at in the lives of God’s beloved children. Obscenity, foolish talk, and coarse joking can become commonplace in your life. Don’t be deceived with the empty assurance that these things don’t matter. The world does not believe that God is serious when he warns of his coming wrath on the sons of disobedience.
How can we be imitators of God? Walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us.
Let us ever walk with Jesus, Follow His example pure,
Flee the world, which would deceive us And to sin our souls allure.
Ever in His footsteps treading, Body here, yet soul above,
Full of faith and hope and love, Let us do the Father's bidding.
Faithful Lord, abide with me; Savior, lead, I follow Thee.
The Lutheran Hymnal 409:1