Prayer for All Members Based on Pastor Jared’s Message, May 29, 2022 Ephesians 5:1-6
Imitating God

Paul is continuing to tell us how to walk worthy of our calling as Christians: we are to imitate God by reflecting His character. He is compassionate, merciful, slow to anger, and quick to love. He saves sinners and He is holy.

1. Imitate God by loving like He does. (5:1-2)

   Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

   We are not only to love as the Father loves us, but we are also to love as the Son loves us. Once we have come to Jesus, His Spirit lives in us to empower us to love sacrificially as He does. Love is giving ourselves away for the good of others.

   Christ’s death was a fragrant offering to God, and our love is also a fragrant sacrifice to God.

   Father, please make us people that love others as You love us and as Christ has loved us; please make our lives a pleasing aroma to You.

2. Imitate God by delighting in His goodness. (5:3-4)

   But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

   Christian love chooses the love of God over the lusts of the world. There should be no hint in our lives of sexual immorality, impurity, covetousness, or crude speech.

   The alternative to immorality is to give thanks. Thankfulness recognizes the goodness of God instead of ignoring or doubting Him.

   Father, thank You for all that You have done for us in Your great love! Please remind us to bow down and give thanks continually. Help us to delight in You and be fully submissive and content.

3. Imitate God by living a kingdom life. (5:5-6)

   For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

   This does not mean that anyone who has sinned is not a Christian. What Paul is saying is that no person who has ever come to Christ will go on sinning without repentance. Do Christians fall into sin? Yes, but because they are living in God’s sanctifying grace, they will repent and be restored.

   So do not listen to anyone who minimizes sin. But there is hope for every sinner at the cross of Jesus.

   Lord, help us to remember who we are as heirs of Your kingdom; by Your ongoing grace please enable us to live out the washed and sanctified and justified lives that You have given us!