Be Ye Followers of God

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” Ephesians 5:1-2 uses the term “therefore” indicating a conclusion given so far in this letter and relays how to proceed being faithful. We are labeled “dear children,” and instructed to walk in love as women and spiritual adult believers, being co-laborers with God. At this point in the edification (Romans-Ephesians 4), we’ve had great opportunity to learn what God desires to enable and empower us to function in this way. It is all Christ in us, as we are led by the Spirit.

Godly charity is manifest as we become a willing, “living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.” (Rom. 12: 1) How can we maintain godly love in all situations, such as with an unfaithful or seemingly unlovable husband, unwanted pregnancy, a child who embraces worldly things, in tragedies, or devastating illness. Honestly, it is far above us to consistently manifest Christ. We’re unable (Is. 64:6), but God certainly can: “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”(Is. 55:9) Teaching prior to Ephesians  helps us to understand: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20) Learning this is a key.

How can we demonstrate charity, the action of godly love? It happens as we let the Spirit lead us in sound doctrine. This is Christ in us, described in I Corinthians 13:4-8a:

1) Exhibiting Godly Behavior: “Charity suffereth long, and is kind.”

2) Avoiding These: “charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity.”

3) Displaying a Godly Attitude as Who We are In Christ: Saints dwells on Pauline doctrine producing a functional, acceptable life and attitude with eternal rewards “but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never fails.”  God is to be our total provision, in all things.

Reflect: To follow God in any role you have as women, be“dear children; And walk in love,”be prepared and grow in self-awareness. Determine what are you minding and assess your actions. Ask regular questions i.e. How am I functioning and is it consistent with who I am? If I’m living in the flesh, how can I make godly decisions in love? Am I being led by the Spirit to allow Christ to be manifest, serving as “an instrument of righteousness unto God?” (Rom. 6:13) Allow God to rule in your mind.