There's a handwritten note in my Bible next to Ephesians 5:1-2 which says, “This is the hardest commandment.” What makes it the hardest? Well, Paul says here to be “imitators of God.” Imitate God?! Is that even possible? Paul doesn't say “try to be,” he says “be.” How can you imitate perfection? And if that wasn't enough, he continues to instruct us to “live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” So, if we don't live a life of love, what are we offering to God, a nose-wrinkling stench? I think you can start to understand why I wrote that handwritten note.

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But something that is hard is something that is usually worth pursuing. And that's the case here. Fortunately, God has given us a great instruction book. In it He details His standard that we should set as our goal to achieve. God's standard is perfection, but God does not expect us to achieve it this side of Heaven. Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” So, God recognizes we will fail, but “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). God, in His mercy and grace, sent His Son to bear our imperfections. So, take heart; God is merciful. Therefore, strive to be an imitator of God. It's a worthy goal, but what does it look like?

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Love is integral to God's perfect character. In fact, God is love. 1 John 4:8 and 4:16 are clear on this point. So, to imitate God, we need to strive for perfect love. Perfect love?! If Ephesians 5:1-2 is the hardest commandment, the commandments in today's verses from Paul's epistle to the Romans are a close second. So, let's break them down.

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Love must be sincere:

The term “love” here refers to love for fellow believers. Let your love for your brother or sister through Christ be sincere; that is, without hypocrisy. It's easy to spot a phony. If someone says one thing but does the other, which defines them? The book of James makes it clear that your actions define your heart. If you want to know if your love is sincere, read James.

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Hate what is evil:

Since the Bible mentions love so much, when I see the word “hate” in the Bible, it sticks out like a black eye. It's very important to know that the term “hate” here is not an emotional response but an aversion to what is not of God – evil, in this case. To imitate God, Paul is saying we should turn away from anything that is not of His character. In other words, fight against anything that separates us, or our brothers and sisters, from God. Allow the Holy Spirit, which dwells in you, to be your guide. If it feels wrong, it probably is wrong.

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Cling to what is good:

The opposite of the above. Some translations use the stronger word “cleave.” Stick to good like glue. Associate yourself with good things. Steer away from shady or questionable practices. Again, allow the Holy Spirit to guide you.

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Be devoted to one another in love:

Another instruction directed toward fellow believers. We are all one in the body of Christ (Rom. 12:5). What sense does it make to harm your own body? Therefore, devote yourself to one another, for as your brother or sister prospers, so too, do you prosper.

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Honor one another above yourself:

Jesus is God, and He did just this. Therefore, to imitate God, we should follow His example. Treat fellow brothers and sisters with high regard, esteem, and respect. Demonstrate this through your words, but mostly through your actions. And do so with humility. Remember, you are striving for the unity and harmony of the body of Christ. Philippians 2:3-4 puts it like this, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

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By commanding us to imitate Him, God gives us a tough road to follow. Fortunately, He holds our hand along the way. When we stumble, He picks us up and sets us on our feet. So, pursue living a life of perfect love with joy and purpose. Doing so, even imperfectly, is to Him, a fragrant offering.

I thank you, Lord, for commanding me to imitate You. You give me purpose. I thank you, Lord, for your Word. You give me guidance. I thank you, Lord, for my fellow brothers and sisters. You give me community. I thank you, Lord, for accepting me as I am. You give me love. Thank you, Lord. Amen.

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