Day 141—The Way Forward—Be an Imitator of Christ

“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)​

One of the sweetest sights in life is watching a young child imitate a loving parent. They copy their father's walk, repeat their mother's expressions, mimic their habits, and often aspire to become like the one they admire most. They learn not merely by instruction but by observation.

This is the picture Paul gives us in Ephesians 5. As children of God, we are called to imitate our heavenly Father. Since Jesus Christ perfectly revealed the Father, the clearest way to imitate God is to imitate Christ. Jesus Himself said, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). His life displayed the Father's holiness, compassion, humility, truth, mercy, and sacrificial love. If we desire to know how God would think, speak, serve, forgive, and love, we need only look at Jesus.

Paul begins with a simple but life-changing command: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children” (Ephesians 5:1). Notice the motivation. We do not imitate God in order to become His children; we imitate Him because we already are His children through faith in Christ. Our obedience flows from our identity, not the other way around.

The first characteristic Paul emphasizes is love. “Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2). Biblical love is not merely an emotion; it is selfless sacrifice for the good of another. Jesus demonstrated this perfectly at Calvary. He willingly laid down His life so that sinners might become sons and daughters of God.

His sacrifice was “a fragrant offering.” In the Old Testament, sacrifices offered in obedience to God were described as a pleasing aroma before the Lord. Christ's obedience, humility, and sacrifice fulfilled every requirement of God's justice. Now, as His followers, our lives are also to become living sacrifices, pleasing to Him.

Paul echoes this truth elsewhere: “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1). Worship is not confined to a sanctuary on Sunday morning. Worship is the daily offering of our lives to God.

Paul then contrasts Christlike love with the sinful lifestyle that characterized the culture of Ephesus. The city was saturated with sexual immorality, idolatry, greed, and moral compromise. Instead of allowing culture to shape the church, Paul calls the church to influence its culture.

He writes, “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints” (Ephesians 5:3). God's people are called to holiness because God Himself is holy. The world may redefine morality, but God's standard never changes. Followers of Christ are not to allow culture to determine their worldview. Scripture alone is our authority.

Paul reminds us that sin not only dishonors God but also deceives the sinner. “Let no one deceive you with empty words” (Ephesians 5:6). Satan has always minimized the seriousness of sin while maximizing its temporary appeal. Yet what promises freedom ultimately produces bondage.

Instead of walking in darkness, believers are called to walk in light. Light reveals what darkness hides. It exposes truth, uncovers sin, and points people toward Christ. Paul writes, “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).

Notice that Paul does not merely say we once lived in darkness. He says we were darkness. But now, because of Christ, we are light. Our identity has fundamentally changed.

Walking in the light naturally produces spiritual fruit. As Paul writes elsewhere, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23). Fruit is the natural evidence of a healthy relationship with Christ.

This raises an important question many believers ask: How do we love people living in darkness without becoming influenced by that darkness ourselves?

The answer is found in both intention and influence. Jesus spent time with sinners, yet He never participated in their sin. He loved them enough to enter their world without allowing their world to reshape Him. We are called to do the same. We intentionally pray for people, care for people, serve people, and share the Gospel with people. Our goal is always to influence them toward Christ rather than allowing the culture to influence us away from Him.

Paul writes, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you” (Ephesians 5:14). Dr. Tony Evans offers a helpful illustration. If a room is filled with cockroaches, simply turn on the light, and they scatter. Believers do not need to spend all their time exposing darkness. We simply need to live as children of light. A Christlike life naturally exposes what is contrary to God's truth.
Paul then urges believers to live wisely.

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15–16). Life is brief, and opportunities are limited. We are called to steward every day for God's glory.

One of the greatest ways we do that is by living under the control of the Holy Spirit. Paul commands, “Do not get drunk with wine… but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). Every believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit at salvation, but being filled with the Spirit refers to living under His continual influence and control.

Dr. Tony Evans compares this to a vehicle needing fuel. Once a car leaves the gas station, it immediately begins consuming what has been put into it. Likewise, believers need continual spiritual renewal through God's Word, prayer, worship, fellowship, and obedience. A Spirit-filled church becomes a worshiping, thankful, encouraging, and unified church.

Paul concludes the chapter by bringing these truths into the home. Marriage becomes the living illustration of Christ's relationship with His church. Wives are called to willingly respect and support their husbands' God-given leadership, while husbands are commanded to love their wives with the same sacrificial love Christ demonstrated for His church.

This is not leadership built on selfishness or domination. It is leadership built on sacrifice.

Jesus gave Himself for His bride. Likewise, husbands are called to nourish, cherish, protect, encourage, and, if necessary, lay down their lives for their wives. The husband's authority is always exercised under the lordship of Christ and never apart from His character. Marriage becomes a testimony to the Gospel itself as two people display Christ's love, grace, forgiveness, and unity before a watching world.

As you reflect on this chapter, ask yourself some honest questions.

• Am I becoming more like Jesus?
• Does my life reflect His love?
• Am I influencing the culture more than it is influencing me?
• Am I walking in the light?
• Am I daily yielding to the Holy Spirit's control?

Whether at home, in the workplace, in the church, or throughout your community, remember that people are watching your life long before they hear your words. The greatest testimony you may ever give is simply living a life that faithfully imitates Jesus Christ.

Today, choose to walk in love, live in the light, worship with gratitude, submit to the Spirit's leading, and let your life become a reflection of your heavenly Father. As you imitate Christ, you will shine His light into a world desperately searching for hope.

Prayer
Father, thank You for adopting us into Your family through Jesus Christ. Help us become faithful imitators of Your Son in every area of our lives. Teach us to walk in love, pursue holiness, reject the darkness of this world, and shine brightly as children of light. Fill us daily with Your Holy Spirit so that our words, attitudes, relationships, and actions reflect the character of Christ. Strengthen our homes, our churches, and our witness so that others may see Jesus through us. May our lives become living sacrifices that are pleasing to You, bringing glory to Your name and pointing many to the hope found only in Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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