Ephesians 5:1-5
Devotions for Saturday 28th June
What an extraordinary and powerful request by Paul to the people of Ephesus and to all who read his letter! He says ‘be imitators of God’! In this one phrase Paul encapsulates the Christian call to holy living. Augustine wrote a book called ‘the Imitation of Christ’ in the fifth century AD, borrowing part of his title from this text, and it has become a long-standing spiritual classic. But whether you have read Augustine or not, the challenge to imitate or be like God stands before every Christian.
Of course, this is a challenge which is impossible for any natural person, and Paul makes it clear that such a quest can only be taken on by one who is empowered by Christ and His love (5:2) However, Paul has not written this merely as an impressive spiritual option, just another item to be picked from the supermarket shelf of Christian spirituality for those uncertain enough to need to shop around! What Paul says here goes back as far as Genesis itself, and to the story of Creation in the first chapter. There, God made men and women ‘in his image’ (1:27,28), meaning that in their created perfection, men and women are naturally ‘like’ God, and thus fulfil this scripture! However, we all know that men and women are ‘fallen’ creatures and need the saving work of Jesus to make them ‘right’ with God. Indeed, Paul has explained this message of salvation fully in the previous four chapters of Ephesians. However, Paul now brings us this quite glorious call to be like God, and he tells us that once liberated by Christ it is realistic for us to pursue this, but because we still live in a fallen world, God’s likeness will not just happen, it needs effort. We need to be active ‘imitators of God’ (5:1).
Paul gives two clear instructions about how we may pursue this call. His first advice is that the starting point lies in that little word ‘love’; ‘And walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us ...’ (5:2) The example of Christ is unique and sufficient for a Christian, and although people will see different things in Jesus and interpret his life in many different ways, there can be little doubt that the key quality he lived, preached and demonstrated, was love. Moreover, he was consistent in this to the point of death, and however awful it was from an earthly point of view, Paul described it as ‘fragrant’ and ‘acceptable’ from a heavenly point of view. Sometimes people find it hard to read that God accepted the death of Jesus His Son, because from our point of view, no death can be acceptable. However, by this death, Jesus showed that God’s love is victorious beyond the grave and He has therefore bought us peace with God. Surely we cannot criticise Jesus or God for doing everything necessary to save people like us from the power of sin and death, even to the point of Jesus’ death on the Cross? This shows real love beyond compare.
The second piece of advice Paul gives is typical of his letters and perhaps rather dour, but highly necessary. He urges Christians to shun all immorality, impurity and greed, adding to this list twice in verse 4 and 6 to drum home the point that a Christian must be someone who is actively involved in confronting evil in their own life, rather than making accusations about where these things are found in the church. Of course, Paul says that these things ‘must not be named amongst you’ (5:3), but his advice is that they will not be in the church if individual people are actively resistant to them in their own personal lives. Too often, we are not actively resistant to them, but merely passively so; content to assume that they are some distance off and not of immediate concern. However, even amongst the most upright of Christians, impurity of thought, crude behaviour or foolish talk can quickly raise their heads, and once sin has gained a foothold, sin leads to sin, as Paul so often points out in his letters (Rom 5:20, 6:12 etc.). Those who would be ‘imitators of God’ must be actively resistant to these things through focussing on God, and Paul gives one suggestion about how to do this, and it is to be someone who is focussed on thanksgiving (5:4).
This is tough, straight advice; but why should we wish for any other! The Christian life has always been a mixture of receiving the gifts of God and taking personal responsibility for our actions so that we take hold of the wonderful things God has for us.
1 So be imitators of God, as children who are loved. 2 And walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant and acceptable offering of sacrifice to God. 3 Now, sexual immorality and all impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is right among holy people; 4 and indecent behaviour, foolish or crude talking is entirely out of place. Instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you must know this; that all who are sexually immoral, impure or covetous (that is, idolatrous), have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
© All text and pictures on this page copyright Paul H Ashby 2008 - all rights reserved
To read the questions and discipleship challenges for this text: go to the discipleship page
Give us generous hearts O Lord; give us love which overflows, faith which is never-ending, hope that it steadfast and sure, and an attitude towards others which is open and accepting. In this way, may our testimony to the love of God be found to be true by those who meet us, and may they be drawn, as we have to the great joy of meeting our Lord Jesus Christ. AMEN
May I learn those truths of life
Which God has given in Jesus Christ;
And may I find within the Word
The way which guides me out of death to life.
Free my soul from being consumed
By all that occupies my days;
And raise my sights to higher things,
Your gracious touch of mercy on my heart.
Stir up a zeal, a passion within
Which seeks to serve all those I meet;
And through such work, fulfil my call
To do my best, my all, for Christ and others.
Save my spirit from becoming mean,
Unwilling to share the grace of God;
And turn me round from death to life
To sow and reap a harvest for the Kingdom.
Weekly Theme: Justice
Pray for God’s people the Church, and ask the Lord to make His justice visible in the world through the wisdom, godliness and discernment of His people throughout the nations.
On-going prayers
- Pray for the world of sport, and pray for integrity in its financing
- Give thanks for daily blessings
- Pray for the people who live near you or in your street
