Ephesians 5:1, 2

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God ~ Ephesians 5:1, 2

Following what is God’s example is found in the verse just before this one – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave you” (4:32). This command is the way of love, this is why Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross – to forgive! To walk in the way of love is to imitate God. It is good to be friends with God, for sure, it is good to be one of His followers, absolutely! The problem I see is that we can become “religious” in our friendship and our following! Religiosity leaves out aspects like forgiveness, compassion, mercy, and instead becomes harsh and judgmental. It fears what is different and rejects based on that fear. It forgets that the one whom has become “religious” was forgiven on the same basis everyone else was and is. But here we have such a simple rule – be imitators of God! All loved children want to grow up and be just like daddy! They want to do what daddy does, walk like him, talk like him, say what he says. We, who love our Father God are no different. How much strife would be avoided if we followed this rule! If every Christian who is angry, unforgiving, and unkind, would only go back to when Christ came into their life and offered His forgiveness to them, a sinner, it would save all the strive and trouble that comes between God’s children! So, forgive, be compassionate, love as Christ loves!

Devotion by Pastor Julia