New Attitudes - Part 5
Children of God
Ephesians 5v1-2
27th May 2016
Over the last few weeks, we've been studying Paul's appeal in Ephesians 4v17-32 to us to no longer live as the Gentiles do (verse 17) but to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (verse 24). Paul teaches us to change our behaviour, choosing truth instead of falsehood, peace instead of anger, honesty and generosity instead of stealing, and wholesomeness instead of damaging talk. This section of his letter ends with the words:
Ephesians 5v1-2
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.
Everything we've studied in this series has been about walking in the way of love, loving our neighbours as ourselves (Mark 12v31). If we do this, we'll be following God's example.
All Christians are God's dearly loved children but, tragically, many Christians feel as if all the other Christians in the world are dearly loved, but they themselves are merely tolerated by God. They're mistaken, and it costs them dear. If you're a Christian, then God sent Jesus to die for you because He wants you in His family. You are dearly loved. Let the Holy Spirit show you how dearly loved you are.
Jesus died because He loves you.
He also died to make a sacrifice to His Heavenly Father, a fragrant offering. May we love as Jesus loves, a love that brings compassion, grace and forgiveness to everybody we meet, and a love that wants to make sacrifices to God. May we be Christlike.