Acting Like Beloved Children

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Scripture:

Eph. 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Observation:

Paul is affirming that the church is not to live like the world. That’s why he brings us to this point and says, “therefore.” For the people in the church to move away from their pagan lifestyle, they are to live into their adoption. for they are children of God. It's very important to recognize that this adoption is entire and complete, and now we are beloved children; children who are lavished in the love of the Father. 

Basically, Paul is saying that it’s time to live into this adoption and imitate your heavenly Father. Because we are beloved and God’s love is lavished on us, we are to live in that love. It’s like swimming in the deep end of the pool that has been filled with God’s holy love. This love permeates every pore of our being and we are transformed, right down to the core, into the likeness of the family. This love is demonstrated by what Christ did for us, giving up everything for the love of his future brothers and sisters. This love, becomes the driving force and leads us to imitate God, following the sacrificial life of Christ. 

Application

I know that not everyone has had the opportunity to be raised in a family where they felt loved and secure. That’s why it may be difficult to imagine a Father who dotes on his beloved children. But maybe we can imagine what it’s like to be a doting parent or grandparent. I have the privilege of living in the same house with my two little granddaughters. Mackenzie is now two-and-a-half, and Alice is one. I can’t explain the joy that they bring to my life. Just seeing them in the morning and watching their faces light up when “Bagogo” comes into the room can brighten any day. I love those two little girls so much, and I would do just about anything for them. Just as I wanted the best for our two daughters, so I want the best for the two of them. 

Our heavenly Father wants the very best for us as well. He lavishes love on us and as he does, we become soaked in the very DNA of the holy family. The result is that our lives are changed. We draw nearer to God and we begin to reflect him in the ways that we look and act. God’s desires become our desires and we naturally begin to imitate God. Christians who do not look and act like God, may be Christian in name only. Those who truly bear the family name, will also have a family resemblance. People should know that we are followers of Christ, not by the name, but by our behavior. 

Prayer:


Lord, please help me to walk in your love and grace today. Amen. 

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