January 19
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IMITATE CHRIST & WALK IN LOVE
Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.3 But sexual immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness or foolish talk, or vulgar joking, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that no sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, which amounts to an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God -Ephesians 5:1-5
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In this chapter, Paul gives us a clear guideline how to be imitators of Christ and how-to walk in love. Paul was appointed by Christ Himself even though he wasn’t one of the original 12 apostles, meaning, he was also Spirit led and anointed to have the revelations that the other apostles were given. I think that his guidelines for imitating Christ resonates all the revelation we get from the disciple whom Jesus loved who is John. John mostly focused his writing on “love”, so his gospel would be so close to Paul’s guidelines to walk in love. In 1 John 4:8 , we know that God is love. In 1 John 4:7 it also says that whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. And Paul said to the Romans in verse 5:8 that God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. In 1 John 4:19 John says that we love because he first loved us and in 1 John 4:7 we are asked to love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. It is no wonder why Paul gives us these pointers so we can be like Christ and be a fragrant aroma and a sacrifice to God.
Paul warns the Ephesians that sexual immorality, or any impurity or greed must never be a part of their lives, nor any kind of rubbish talk. Only thanksgiving must be spoken. Paul labels sexual immorality, impurity and greed as idolatry and anyone who engages in these acts will have no place in God’s kingdom. These words of wisdom are clear cut ways so believers can ensure walking in the Spirit and in love.
How many of us keep watch over these acts of idolatry? The world is full of corruption and many of our churches are already infiltrated by false teachings and doctrines. We need to heed Paul’s advice to watch for these things that are not pleasing aroma to God.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it very hard to imitate Christ and walk in love in this corrupt world?