1,2 "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
Ephesians 5:1,2 (ESV)
The apostle Paul gave us some big hooks to hang things on, some essential understandings of what it means to be a Christian. I'm so glad he did. Like us, many folks were getting sidetracked, stuck, compromised. Fundamentals were being forgotten. Things needed to reset and pivot around this:
- BIG IMITATION. A Christian simply imitates Christ. That's what it means to follow Him ... to study Him like a child, to do what He does, to speak His words, to love what He loves, to serve others and die to live.
- BIG VIEW. A Christian sees himself as God does, as dearly loved, restored and forgiven through Christ. Fears of performance-based acceptance disappear. Formula religion washes away. What's left is pure, beautiful worship.
- BIG DEAL. A Christian makes love a big deal. Love becomes big whenever it's selfless, surrendered, shared … and keeps getting “walked” out like Jesus. That brand of love is the only one that smells good to God.
- BIG GIFT. A Christian makes himself a gift to others. Giving like Jesus is the aim. Everything changes when giving becomes sacrifice.
Reflect:
- IMITATION: How's your Jesus-following going? Are you committed to imitating Him?
- VIEW: Are you seeing yourself well, especially seeing yourself as God sees you? What adjustments, if any, might need to be made?
- DEAL: Is living out God's love a big deal to you? Is loving like Jesus important to you?
- GIFT: Are you giving more than taking, serving more than being served?
A prayer to consider: LORD, my aim is to imitate You. My battle is to view myself as a child completely loved by You. My hope is to keep making love a big deal. My goal is to give more than to receive. Help me hang my life on these four great hooks. Amen.
