Follow God’s example, 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 NIV
I can still remember my children when they were small, trying very hard to imitate something I was doing. It might be as simple as reading the paper while sprawled out on the floor, and then looking over to see my son doing the same thing. He had very carefully arranged the newspaper, upside down, of course, and himself just like he saw me doing. I was his role model, and he was learning by copying me.
And that is such a good picture of what Paul is calling on us to do here. As God’s dearly loved children, we should seek to follow his example. This example is most clearly seen in the life and death of Jesus. Paul calls it ‘the way of love,’ living a life of sacrificial love.
How often do I have an opportunity to demonstrate love to another person and fail to follow Christ’s example? Lord, help me, as an obedient child, to follow the way of love. To make Jesus my example, imitating his life and loving sacrificially.
