In Love - Ephesians 5:1-21

Therefore 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.

Be imitators of God. That's a fairly tall order, but something we see repeatedly throughout Scripture. "Be holy, as I am holy," and "He predestined them to conformed to the image of his Son" are a couple of examples. Yet in this context, Paul gives us a specific trait to imitate - walking in love. Paul then gives the description of God's example that we should imitate - Jesus sacrifice.

This is a foreign concept in the modern American church. We have bought into our culture, combined our spiritual beliefs with our cultural beliefs. We put more stock in the American Dream, than in the purposes of God. We equate God's blessings and Satan's attacks with the rise and fall of our personal finances.

If our car breaks down, it was the devil, but if we get a new job, God is blessing. I think we forget, when Jesus was tempted by the devil, it was the devil that offered him all the kingdoms of the world and all their glory. What Jesus offered his disciples was a chance to deny themselves, become the servants of all, become living sacrifices, and to take up their crosses and follow him.

We all know we can't take our stuff with us. So, for a group of people who have been promised a better future, we sure spend a lot of time, money, energy, emotions and thoughts on getting that stuff. Remember, every commercial you see is the god, Mammon, crying out to you, "Serve me instead of God Most High." (Mt. 6:24)

I am not saying we have to live as penniless hermits, but what are you sacrificing for the sake of bringing others to God? Is your house your refuge, or a tool for the gospel? If you see your house as your refuge, your castle, your hideaway, then you are living in idolatry. God is your refuge.

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18

This passage speaks of taking care of the physical needs of others. How much more should we sacrifice for those in need of eternal life? How can you sacrifice your house, your time, your money, your work for God and the gospel?