Years ago, I was walking behind my brother-in-law and his young son. The boy, wearing shorts like his father, saw that dad was walking with his hands in his pockets so he decided to put his hands in his pockets. A young boy was imitating his father, so forward they went, father and son, hands in pockets, stride for stride.
That is what Paul is talking about in Ephesians 5:1-2, where he urges us to “be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” This is the continuation of the paraenesis section of Ephesians (paraenesis is a fancy Greek word for a writing that urges people to do something). This section began with Ephesians 4:1, where Paul urges us to walk (live) in a manner worthy of our calling. In this week’s reading, Paul lists multiple ways in which we walk worthy: tell the truth, do let anger lead to sin, stop stealing but work to provide for yourself and share with others, let your speech be something that builds up, be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.
What Paul is advocating is not that we steel our self to do better, rather, we, like children, follow the example of our older brother, Jesus. We often see young children trying to keep up with their older siblings, and imitating them. That is what we should do, imitate God by walking in Christ-like love. So walk worthy, brothers and sisters, you never know who might be watching.
Jerry+
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