Be imitators of God and walk in love

Revised and re-posted, the Verse of the Day for September 7, 2017, offers this exhortation found in Ephesians 5:1 which is complete by adding verse 2:

Ephesians 5:1-2 (AMP):

Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].

² and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.

As believers we are to be imitators or mimics of God, our Father. In a similar manner to a young boy who wants to walk in his father’s shoes and wear his father’s hat, we are to be followers of God. Our lives are to be filled to overflowing with love. Our lives should be a reflection of the saying, “Like father, like son.”

This passage from Ephesians 5 also brings to mind 1 John 4:16, expressed in the Amplified Bible this way:

¹⁶ And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us. God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him.

In 1 John 4:8 we find an expression of who God is:

He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love.

For Christian believers nothing is more satisfying than to know that God is love and that God loves us.  We can thus, follow Christ’s example as we offer our lives as sacrificial expression of our devotion to God.

The passage from Ephesians also brings to mind this poetic reminder:

In the footsteps of our faithful fathers 

Follow the steps of good men instead,

and stay on the paths of the righteous.

Proverbs 2:20

 

We still walk the paths of the righteous, chosen ones,

In the footsteps of our faithful fathers, as sons

Who must follow their lead that we might know the way,

Acknowledging God in all that we do and say.

We have not been here, for each step is strange and new.

Moving ahead, our eyes are now only on You.

As we continue to pursue the paths of truth,

We see Your guiding hand has been there since our youth.

Former days intertwined in confusion and strife,

In darkened, dead-end pathways, all bearing no life.

Along our journey we have known Your grace before,

Assured that Your favor will abound even more.

We are strengthen and encouraged in this new phase

And pledge to follow onward the rest of our days.

Elevation Worship offers “Walk in Love” inspired by Ephesians 5:1-2 and other verses:

Tags: 1 John 4:16, 1 John 4:8, Ephesians 5:1-2, walk in love