Nature Beyond Belief
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 dv0522 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.
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Summary Theme
Walk in Love by Imitating God Through Christ’s Sacrificial Example
Summary Paragraph
Ephesians 5:1–2 calls believers to pattern their lives after God by living in selfless, sacrificial love. As God’s beloved children, Christians are to reflect His character in their relationships, attitudes, and actions. Paul points to Jesus Christ as the supreme example, who willingly gave Himself for our salvation as a sacrificial offering pleasing to God. This love is not merely an emotion but a deliberate commitment to seek the good of others, even at personal cost. As recipients of God’s grace, believers are called to demonstrate that same Christ-like love in their daily walk, making their lives a testimony of God’s transforming power.
Discussion Questions with Extended Answers:
1. What does it mean to be an imitator of God?
Answer:
To imitate God means to reflect His holy character in every aspect of life. Just as children naturally resemble their parents, believers are called to resemble their heavenly Father because they have been adopted into His family through faith in Christ. This imitation includes displaying His love, mercy, forgiveness, holiness, patience, compassion, and truthfulness.
Paul’s command is not an invitation to earn God’s favor but a response to the grace already received. Because believers are “beloved children,” they live differently from the world. The Holy Spirit enables Christians to grow into Christ’s likeness, progressively reflecting God’s character in their relationships, decisions, and daily conduct.
Related Scriptures: Matthew 5:48; Luke 6:36; Colossians 3:12–14; 1 Peter 1:15–16.
2. What does it mean to “walk in love”?
Answer:
To “walk in love” describes a continual lifestyle rather than an occasional act of kindness. In Scripture, one’s walk refers to the pattern of daily living. Walking in love means intentionally choosing attitudes and actions that seek the good of others, even when doing so requires sacrifice.
This kind of love is demonstrated through forgiveness, humility, patience, generosity, service, and compassion. It reflects the unconditional love God has shown His people rather than the self-centered values of the world. Walking in love affects family relationships, friendships, church fellowship, and interactions with those who may be difficult to love.
Christians are called to make love the defining characteristic of their lives because love fulfills God’s moral law and reveals His presence in the believer.
Related Scriptures: John 13:34–35; Romans 13:8–10; Galatians 5:13–14; 1 John 4:7–12.
3. How is Christ’s sacrifice the model for Christian love?
Answer:
Paul points to Jesus as the perfect example of love because He willingly gave Himself for sinners. His sacrifice on the cross was completely voluntary, motivated by obedience to the Father and compassion for humanity. Rather than seeking His own comfort or safety, Jesus endured suffering so others could receive forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal life.
Believers are not called to repeat Christ’s atoning sacrifice, but they are called to imitate His attitude of selfless service. Christian love often involves giving time, resources, forgiveness, encouragement, and personal attention for the benefit of others. Sometimes it requires enduring hardship or putting another person’s needs ahead of one’s own.
As Christians meditate on Christ’s sacrificial love, they are motivated and empowered to love others in practical, tangible ways.
Related Scriptures: John 15:13; Philippians 2:5–8; 2 Corinthians 5:14–15; 1 John 3:16–18.
4. What does Paul mean by describing Christ’s sacrifice as “a sweet-smelling aroma”?
Answer:
The phrase “sweet-smelling aroma” recalls the Old Testament sacrificial system, where offerings presented in faithful obedience were described as pleasing to God. These sacrifices pointed forward to the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Unlike the repeated animal sacrifices, Christ’s offering was complete, perfect, and fully sufficient to accomplish redemption. His obedience and willing self-sacrifice completely satisfied the Father’s righteous purpose for salvation.
For believers, this imagery teaches that lives devoted to God through loving obedience also become pleasing offerings. Acts of worship, generosity, service, and faithful living are spiritual sacrifices that honor God because they flow from hearts transformed by Christ.
Related Scriptures: Leviticus 1:9; Hebrews 10:10–14; Romans 12:1; Philippians 4:18.
5. How can believers practically apply Ephesians 5:1–2 today?
Answer:
Believers apply these verses by intentionally asking, “How would Christ respond?” in everyday situations. They imitate God by forgiving those who have wronged them, serving others without seeking recognition, speaking truth with kindness, showing patience during conflict, and placing the needs of others before personal convenience.
Walking in love also means demonstrating compassion toward those who are hurting, extending grace to those who fail, and faithfully serving within the church and community. It involves consistent obedience even when sacrifice is required.
As believers continually remember Christ’s immeasurable love demonstrated at the cross, they are strengthened by the Holy Spirit to love others in ways that glorify God. A life marked by Christ-like love becomes a powerful witness to the transforming power of the gospel.
Related Scriptures: Micah 6:8; John 15:12–13; Galatians 6:2; Colossians 3:14; 1 John 4:19.
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