Word@Work Eph54 - Ephesians 5:1-2
Published: Wed, 12/10/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
SINCERE IMITATION
Ephesians 5:1-2 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 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)
Inevitably, the people you admire, you imitate. This can be bad or good, depending on their character. Those who love God should want to be like Him (and indeed, one day we shall be! cf 1 John 3:2). God is love, but despite much Christian talk about love, many saints seem to miss the mark. Love is sacrificial-giving to build up someone else, and meet their real needs. That was what Jesus did for us.
With His Spirit in us, we ought to be living His lifestyle. But often we are more influenced by those around us who seem to be pushing on in business or winning approval at work - and we can copy their style, which can be far from loving or sacrificial. That is why we need this reminder from Paul. He says that sacrificial love is like fine incense to God - attractive and desirable (by contrast with the stench of corruption that pervades the world). And it is God's opinion that matters most. We belong to Him, so what we do affects His reputation, and our reward.
There is no better start to the working day than to spend a little time alone with the Lord. Those minutes will help us to recalibrate our lives, remembering who we are in Christ, and what He demands of us. Arrange to meet another Christian for prayer and study on a regular basis, and you will be surprised how your working environment leaps from the routine monochrome into 3D colour. The interesting thing is that when God is pleased, others find pleasure in you as well (cf Proverbs 16:7). And that cannot be a bad thing in your workplace today!
Prayer: Dear Father God. Thank you that in Jesus, I have the very best role model. Help me to desire to be like Him, and then help me to develop a Godly character - so that You will be glorified and others will be glad. For Jesus' sake. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and Spanish
Inevitably, the people you admire, you imitate. This can be bad or good, depending on their character. Those who love God should want to be like Him (and indeed, one day we shall be! cf 1 John 3:2). God is love, but despite much Christian talk about love, many saints seem to miss the mark. Love is sacrificial-giving to build up someone else, and meet their real needs. That was what Jesus did for us.
With His Spirit in us, we ought to be living His lifestyle. But often we are more influenced by those around us who seem to be pushing on in business or winning approval at work - and we can copy their style, which can be far from loving or sacrificial. That is why we need this reminder from Paul. He says that sacrificial love is like fine incense to God - attractive and desirable (by contrast with the stench of corruption that pervades the world). And it is God's opinion that matters most. We belong to Him, so what we do affects His reputation, and our reward.
There is no better start to the working day than to spend a little time alone with the Lord. Those minutes will help us to recalibrate our lives, remembering who we are in Christ, and what He demands of us. Arrange to meet another Christian for prayer and study on a regular basis, and you will be surprised how your working environment leaps from the routine monochrome into 3D colour. The interesting thing is that when God is pleased, others find pleasure in you as well (cf Proverbs 16:7). And that cannot be a bad thing in your workplace today!
Prayer: Dear Father God. Thank you that in Jesus, I have the very best role model. Help me to desire to be like Him, and then help me to develop a Godly character - so that You will be glorified and others will be glad. For Jesus' sake. Amen.
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