You’re Just Like Your Father
Ephesians 5:1-2
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 1:4-7
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.
1 John 3:1-3
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
We don’t imitate God to get his love or approval or affection. We imitate God, because we have His love, approval, and affection.
How did he give himself up for us?
Willingly – John 10:15
In obedience to the Father – John 10:18
Into suffering and death – Mark 10:33-34
For us – Ephesians 5:2
For redemption – Ephesians 1:7
Say in your head – “Jesus help me love them like you do” Say out loud to them – “How can I help?”