Kathrin Brockmann
Be Imitators of God
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 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)
Since our text begins with “Therefore,” we need to look back and see what was just covered. Doing that, we find a section on living the new life in which instruction is given on things we should do and not do in our daily walk. Paul now summarizes that by telling us to be imitators of God as his beloved children and in so doing, we will please God.
As imitators of God, we are to do as he would do. For example, in Ephesians 4:32 (ESV), we are instructed to “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”; in Matthew 5:48 (ESV), we “must be perfect, as our heavenly Father is perfect.”; and in Luke 6:36 (ESV), we are to “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” Since Jesus is the Son of God, we need to study his life and be imitators of him; not as slaves trying to earn a wage, but as God’s beloved children.
We are to walk in love as a new commandment. Please refer to lesson VS0138 for the meaning of love being a new commandment. For an example of what it is like to walk in love we need to look at how Jesus Christ loved us.
Because of the Fathers love for the world (John 3:16), he sent his Son to take on the body of a man through a virgin birth (Matthew 1:23), live a sinless life, and then be “delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification” (Romans 4:25 ESV). The Son of God loved us so much that for the joy set before him, he was willing to become sin for us to provide our needed salvation. This kind of love is not just a feeling, it is action in the form of a sacrifice to meet the needs of others. To be imitators of God, that is the kind of love we are being asked to exhibit with our lives.
Our willingness to sacrifice for the needs of another is seen as a fragrant offering by God; like that smell from an offering made on the altar. It is seen as a sacrifice to God. Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:12-14 ESV). Father such a responsibility has been placed before us, but the kindness of your grace goes so beyond this.
The Following Addendum Is Provided by ChatGPT
Summary Theme
Walking in Love by Imitating God Through Christ
Summary Paragraph
Ephesians 5:1–2 calls every believer to reflect the character of God by living a life marked by love. Because Christians are God’s beloved children, they are to imitate their heavenly Father in their attitudes, actions, and relationships. The supreme example of this love is Jesus Christ, who willingly gave Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. His selfless, sacrificial love becomes the pattern for Christian living. Rather than being motivated by selfish ambition or personal gain, believers are called to serve others with humility, forgiveness, and compassion. A life lived in Christlike love is pleasing to God, just as Christ’s sacrifice was a “sweet-smelling aroma” accepted by the ather.
Discussion Questions with Extended Answers:
1. What does Paul mean when he tells believers to “be imitators of God”?
Answer:
To imitate God means to reflect His moral character in everyday life. Just as children naturally resemble their parents, Christians, as God’s beloved children, are to demonstrate His attributes such as love, mercy, holiness, patience, kindness, forgiveness, and faithfulness. This does not mean becoming divine but allowing the Holy Spirit to shape our attitudes and actions so that others see the character of Christ in us.
Jesus perfectly revealed the Father (John 14:9), making Him the model for Christian living. As believers grow in spiritual maturity, they increasingly resemble Christ in both conduct and character.
2. Why is Christ’s love the model for the Christian life?
Answer:
Christ’s love is unique because it is unconditional, sacrificial, and completely self-giving. He did not merely express love with words; He demonstrated it by willingly giving His life on the cross to redeem sinners (Romans 5:8). His sacrifice was motivated by obedience to the Father and compassion for humanity.
Believers are called to love in the same spirit—not merely when it is easy or deserved, but with humility, forgiveness, generosity, and a willingness to place the needs of others above personal interests. Such love becomes a powerful testimony of the transforming work of God.
3. What does it mean that Christ’s sacrifice was “a sweet-smelling aroma” to God?
Answer:
The phrase “sweet-smelling aroma” comes from the Old Testament sacrificial system, where acceptable offerings symbolized worship and obedience that pleased God (Genesis 8:20–21; Leviticus 1:9). Those sacrifices pointed forward to the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Unlike the repeated animal sacrifices, Christ offered Himself once for all as the flawless Lamb of God (Hebrews 10:10–14). His perfect obedience and willing sacrifice completely satisfied God’s righteous justice and accomplished redemption for all who believe.
When believers walk in sacrificial love, they honor God by reflecting the character of Christ. Although our sacrifices cannot atone for sin, lives surrendered in loving obedience become pleasing offerings of worship to God (Romans 12:1).
4. How can believers imitate God’s love in practical ways today?
Answer:
Walking in love is demonstrated through everyday choices. It includes forgiving those who have wronged us, showing kindness to those in need, encouraging the discouraged, serving without seeking recognition, speaking truth graciously, and treating others with patience and compassion.
Christlike love is active rather than merely emotional. It seeks the spiritual and physical well-being of others, even when sacrifice is required. As believers continually depend on the Holy Spirit, they become increasingly able to love others with the same grace and mercy they have received from Christ.
5. Why does Paul describe believers as “beloved children” before commanding them to imitate God?
Answer:
Paul begins with identity before instruction. Believers do not imitate God in order to become His children; they imitate Him because they already are His beloved children through faith in Christ. Their relationship with God is established by grace, not by works.
Understanding this identity transforms obedience from a burden into a joyful response of gratitude. Christians seek to honor God because they are loved, accepted, and adopted into His family. The more believers understand God’s love for them, the more naturally they will reflect that same love toward others.
6. What is the lasting message of Ephesians 5:1–2 for every Christian?
Answer:
Ephesians 5:1–2 reminds believers that the Christian life is fundamentally a life of love. Every action, relationship, and decision should be shaped by the example of Jesus Christ. His sacrificial love defines what true discipleship looks like.
As God’s beloved children, Christians are called to reflect their Father’s character by loving others with humility, generosity, forgiveness, and selflessness. When believers walk in Christlike love, they glorify God, strengthen His church, and provide a compelling witness of the gospel to the world.
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