Ephesians 5:1-2

New Living Translation (NLT)

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

For meditation

God commands us in Ephesians 5:1-2 to imitate Him as His dearly loved children. It is one tough call in our faith walk, but one that is most blessed and enabling.

How can we imitate God in everything we do? He is so lofty and sits above everything so much that we come nowhere near His goodness and mercy. Before God, we fall like Isaiah when he saw Him in His glory — sinful and unworthy (Isaiah 6:5). So, how can we imitate such a holy God in everything we do—in love, mercy, grace, compassion, goodness, faithfulness, in forgiveness, and much more?

God works all these in us through His indwelling Spirit. He is our ability to live above the world and honor the Father in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit bears His fruit in the submitted and willing heart in every situation to give us victory over our selfish desires (Galatians 5:16-18; 22-23). That is the model for imitating Christ in everything for the glory of the Father.

Yes, it is difficult to forgive someone who has broken a trust and does not even care. It is difficult to do good to the person who has destroyed your reputation with lies and cost you a promotion or your job. How do you carry the burden of the person who seeks to do you harm? How can anyone remain silent when you can lash out against somebody who offended you?

The way out is to do what God will have you do, though the situation makes you angry and miserable. You have Christ in Gethsemane for your example to imitate. “Not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:41). You have the saints of old to emulate (Galatians 6:17).

So, yes, it is difficult, but the Holy Spirit can give you strength if only we can look at Jesus and determine to honor the Father in everything.