Tools - Boots 1

Ephesians5:1-2

Ephesians has given us the backpack of our faith, the flashlight of God’s love, binoculars from the Holy Spirit to look at our faith differently, and a compass to keep our faith moving in the right direction.  Now Ephesians gives us the hiking boots we need for our journey.

The fifth chapter opens with a command for us.  What is it?  Why should we do this?

If we will go on a journey we need to wear boots on our feet to protect them.  These boots can be a reminder of how our feet work together.  It would be very difficult to move if we walked only with one foot or if one foot did not match the stride of the other.

Just as our feet must work in tandem with one another for us to have success, so it is with our faith.  As we move forward in our journey we must match ourselves with our Savior.  Ephesians 5:1 is clear.  “Be imitators of God.”

If we can imitate God we will be in step with God.  Just as one foot works equally with the other our life of faith must keep the pace that has been set by Jesus.  We are told to act like God.  We are told to live a life of love.  Living a life of love means that we will care about other people and assist them in any way we might be able.

Ephesians 5 reminds us that we are children of God, and as such we are to “live a life worthy of the calling.” (Ephesians 4:1)  This may require sacrifice on our part.  It may not necessarily be the sacrifice of money and material items.  It may be the sacrifice of our time or simply the sacrifice of caring about others.

Whatever the sacrifice, we are again given the example of Christ as the guide, the pacesetter for our spiritual walk.  Through his love for us Jesus was willing to give himself up for us.  If we will walk in tandem with the Lord, being imitators of God, then we must also be willing to give of ourselves to express love to others.

In this way we will be walking spiritually side by side with the Lord in our faith journey.  We will have Jesus as the guide, the footsteps we should follow.

DAILY CHALLENGE:  How can you imitate God?

Love One Another 3

Ephesians 5:1-2

I usually find it difficult to think of an appropriate gift for people, especially my wife. But a few years back it was easy. I went to a bath and body store and purchased scented soaps, shampoos, colognes and lotions as gifts. They were an expression of love intended to make my wife feel good. My hope was that when she enjoyed these wonderful scents she would be reminded of the love I have for her.

In the letter to the Ephesians we have very simple instructions on what we are to do. What two things are we commanded to do? What has Jesus done?

The instructions are simple but following them may be very difficult. We are to imitate God.

How do we imitate God? We can’t create a rainbow or still the winds. We can’t create a mountain or calm a storm. But we can love other people. That is what God does. God loves us deeply, and in His love He provides for our needs and wants.

We are to imitate God by living a life of love. Our love should not be expressed on occasion or when it is convenient. Our love should not be expressed when it makes us look good or only when it is easy to do. Love should be lived out through our entire life, at all times.

We are to imitate God by loving others, without condition, and by providing for them. Our love needs to be expressed by more than just words. We need to include actions as well.

That is what Jesus did. He lived out his love by offering himself completely as a sacrifice. He gave his life so that we might inherit eternal life. And such a sacrifice, such an action was an offering to God. It wasn’t the smoke and odor of a burnt offering that the ancient Hebrews practiced, but it was a pleasant and fragrant offering, something that made God happy.

In the same way we should be imitators of Jesus. We should sacrifice for others. We should be willing to give ourselves completely in an expression of love to others. And such actions, such expressions of love will be fragrant and pleasant offerings to God also, making Him very happy.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you imitate God today?