FOLLOWERS OF GOD
Ephesians 5:1-2
I. THE COMMAND
II. THE COMPARISON
III. THE COST
FOLLOWERS OF GOD
Ephesians 5:1-2
1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. [NIV]
1. Be imitators of God (copy Him and follow His example), as well-beloved children (imitate their father). 2 And walk in love, (esteeming and delighting in one another) as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God (for you, so that it became) a sweet fragrance. [Amp]
1 Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behaviour from their parents. 2 Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that. [Message]
One of our problems, when we read the scriptures, is that we do not always recognise what it is saying. Yes, we read the words, and know what each word means, but fail to grasp what the real message is. Here in these two verses we have very clear instructions – not an optional extra, but a command.
I. THE COMMAND
Be imitators of God (copy Him and follow His example),
1) FOLLOW GOD
a. HE MUST BE BEFORE US
Matthew 6:33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. [NLT]
b. WE MUST OBEY HIS VOICE
John 2:5 Mary said to the servants, "Do whatever Jesus tells you to do." [CEV]
2) AS DEAR CHILDREN
as dearly loved children
a. HE IS OUR FATHER
Matthew 6:9 Pray then like this - Our Heavenly Father, may your name be honoured; [Philips]
b. WE ARE HIS CHILDREN
Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our own spirit, assuring us that we are children of God. [Amp]
Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do.
3) WALK IN LOVE
live a life of love
a. LOVE TOWARDS GOD
Deuteronomy 6:5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your mind and heart and with your entire being and with all your might. [Amp]
b. LOVE TOWARDS OUR FELLOW CHRISTIANS
John 15:12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. [NLT]
1John 4:11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
II. THE COMPARISON
just as Christ loved us
1) AS CHRIST LOVED
John 13:1 Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. [NIV]
John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
2) AS CHRIST GAVE
I John 3:16 We understand what love is when we realize that Christ gave his life for us. That means we must give our lives for other believers. [God’s Word]
I John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
III. THE COST
and gave himself up for us
1) HIMSELF
Titus 2:14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. [NLT]
Matthew 20:28 The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many
2) OURSELVES
Matthew 16:24 Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone wants to follow in my footsteps he must give up all right to himself, take up his cross and follow me. [Philips]
Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. [Holman]
Deny: aparneomai aparneomai ap-ar-neh’-om-ahee
1a) to affirm that one has no acquaintance or connection with someone
1b) to forget one’s self, lose sight of one’s self and one’s own interests
I understand that this is the same word used regarding Peter when he denied the knowing Lord.
The thought in the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 16:24 is that we are to deny our old life in the same way that Jesus denied His human life!
Galatians 2:20 I have been put to death on the cross with Christ; still I am living; no longer I, but Christ is living in me; and that life which I now am living in the flesh I am living by faith, the faith of the Son of God, who in love for me, gave himself up for me. [BBE]
