Today's Verse: Ephesians 5:1-2

Saturday, January 7, 2006

Be imitators of God 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

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. If we are to sincerely flatter God by being like him, imitation may be the most costly form of flattery as well. You see, love for God is never something that occurs just in our minds or our hearts. Love is something we do for another - love demonstrates itself by its actions. John said that we must love in both our deeds and our words (1 John 3:16-18). Love means to give ourselves up - what we want, our rights, our desires - to honor God and serve others (1 John 4:7-10). This sacrificial love can change a marriage, a family, a friendship, a fellowship of God's people, and ultimately the world!

My Prayer...

Abba Father, I will never fully understand how you could love me so much that you would allow your son to die for me, as the sacrifice for my sins. Please help me love others sacrificially. I know the power to do this is not within me, so please pour your love into my heart through your Holy Spirit* so that I can share that love with others. Through Jesus, my brother and my sacrifice, I pray. Amen.
*Romans 5:5

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Illustration

Illustration of Ephesians 5:1-2 — Be imitators of God 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.

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About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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