Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – Ephesians 5:1-2 – Be Imitators Of God – Growing As Disciples

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. Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)

A Fragrant Offering

Do you want to be like me? Yes, of course I want to be like you. What child does not want to be like his father? You are my Heavenly Father there is no reason that I would not want to be like you. Is that an option? Is there really some way in which I can be like you? Yes, you can be like me in many ways. How, is that possible? Do what a child does. What’s that? Imitate me. That doesn’t sound like something that is easy to do. Did you want something that was easy to do? No, I really would like to imitate you and become like you. How can I get started?

If you want to imitate me then you must come to know me. How do I do that? Meet with me in prayer. Meet with me in my word. Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Carry on a conversation with me throughout your day. How do you get to know anyone? I get to know another person by spending time with them. It’s no different with me. How well do you want to know me? I want to know you intimately. Then spend a lot of time with me. You will never know me well if we don’t spend time together. Maybe you should make spending time with me a priority in your life. How would I do that? Set a time and a place where we can meet together everyday. Draw near to me and I will draw near to you. Have you ever heard that before? Yes, many times. Do you know it to be true? Yes, without a doubt.

How will I know that I am beginning to become like you? You will start doing what I have done. What have you done? I’m going to let you answer that. I’ll try. I’m sure that you will do just fine. You have been a giver. How so? You gave your one and only Son to die on the cross so that I could be forgiven and cleansed of my sins. Yes, I did. That was a real and powerful demonstration of your love. Yes, it was. So, when I start to love others and give of myself to them will I be becoming like you? Yes, you will.

Let’s talk about my Son. What about Him? Imitate Him. Do what He did and you will become like me. What did He do? That’s another question that I will let you answer. He gave himself to you. He gave himself to others. Yes, He did. He went where you sent Him to do what you asked of Him. Yes, He did. His sacrificial giving of himself was like a fragrant offering to you. Yes, it was. Can I be a fragrant offering to you? What do you think? Yes, I can. When I obey you and do what you ask will I become like you? Yes, you will. When I love others with your love will I become like you? Yes, you will. Will you help me to become a fragrant offering to you? Yes, I will, you can count on it. This is all that I have ever wanted.

Heavenly Father, just as a child wants to be like his father so I also want to be like you. Help me to imitate you by living a life filled with your love. Use my life as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to you as I love others with your love. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Love – Ephesians 5-1-2 – Be Imitators Of God – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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