Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, 2 and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. 3 But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of[a] among you, as is proper for saints. 4 Obscene and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. 5 For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Ephesians 5:1-5 CSB)
What does it look like for me to be an imitator of Jesus and to walk in His ways?
It starts with a life of love. Paul writes, “walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.” Love is not defined by the world or the culture around me. Love is defined and demonstrated by Jesus, most clearly through His sacrifice on the Cross. Love is humbly and willingly placing the needs of others ahead of my own. It’s suffering for the sake of others. It’s recognizing that as a dearly loved child of God, the love of Jesus compels me to love others in the same way. To imitate Jesus means intentionally walking in love toward my wife, each of my children, my co-workers, my neighbours, and anyone that I encounter, including those whom I find it most difficult to love.
To be an imitator of Jesus also looks life a radical pursuit of holiness. Paul writes, “But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints.” As I seek to walk in the ways of Jesus, it means not allowing the external temptations of the world or the internal desires of my flesh to have their way. Instead, I must guard my heart from every form of sexual immorality, impurity and greed. I must not allow places of compromise to remain in my life. I must be vigilant to pursue what is pure, right, and good. God is hoy, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, I must must seek to continue to walk and grow in my own holiness.
Finally, to imitate Jesus looks like gratitude. Paul writes that instead of a life marked by impurity, we ought to be “giving thanks.” My heart needs to be filled constantly with thanksgiving for who God is and all that I have received because of His abundant grace toward me through Jesus Christ. A posture of gratitude is not natural for me. It must be cultivated and pursued with intentionality. But it will fuel greater humility which leads to a life of love and holiness.
Father, forgive me for how I have gone off track. Realign my heart today toward a greater pursuit of love, holiness, and gratitude. As I reflect on who Jesus is and all that He has done for me, may my life looks more and more like Him, through the power of the Holy Spirit at work within me.
