Follow God's example
Who do you follow? Who is a good example of life for you?
The world turns to media stars - movies, sports, YouTube, the Insta-famous. The world looks to public figures and often the ones who are followed the most are the ones who are successful. It's difficult to beat success as a prime motivation for living. Everyone wants to be successful. Regardless of the lifestyle they live, regardless of the morality of it all, being successful - fame, fortune, notoriety - these are the things that often matter to the people of the world.
It was no different in Paul's day in the first century. People still wanted to be successful, wealthy and influential. So when Paul writes: "follow the example of God", it is certainly counter-cultural like it is today. Read these verses all together, to get a feel of the contrast with the world that Paul is setting up for us. He flashes back and forth between the world and Jesus, trying to help us to see the vast difference in what it looks like to follow Jesus instead of the world...
Ephesians 5:1-20
1Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and 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.3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7Therefore do not be partners with them.8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14This is why it is said:“Wake up, sleeper,rise from the dead,and Christ will shine on you.”15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
From the very beginning, Paul reminds us that Christ Jesus IS God, that he walks the way of love, and that THIS is the way WE are to walk.
Sexual immorality is not loving.
Greed is not loving.
Obscenity is not loving.
Love God and love your neighbour - there is nothing new here for the Christian! It is simply a reminder that the way of Christ is counter-cultural. The way of love puts aside worldly gain and motives.
Don't be deceived, he says in verse 6. The devil would love for us to give up on this idea of love. But it is simply disobedience to God to do so.
We have been brought from darkness into light. From ignorance into knowledge, from foolishness into wisdom, to live for the one true God and not to live for the world.
These verses set up the next very important (and somewhat contentious) passage (for next week!). The "set-up" is to love. Follow God's example. How does God love? How did God demonstrate his love for us? How are we to love?
Prayer
Lord God, thank you for showing me the light and truth of the gospel of Jesus. It is difficult to follow you in this world when there is so much pressure to want for worldly gains. Please help me to see the futility of this. Help me to see that your way of love is supreme. Help me to love the way you love so that I might be obedient to your call on my life.
Amen.