I spent some time pondering Ephesians five the other day, and kept going back to verses one and two. Paul is teaching something Christ had already taught, both in word and in deed. John 5:19, Jesus explains that He does not do anything unless He sees the Father doing it–and whatever He sees His Father do He does in like manner. Paul teaches the Ephesians church that they ought to imitate Christ. If he stopped there in his teaching we would have a basis for teaching many unfruitful things–we could twist the words of Scripture so easily to create “behavior modification” systems for both home and church. Thankfully Paul does not stop there, he says to imitate God, as beloved children.

Did you hear that? If you are a Christian, then you are a beloved child.

As I look into the face of my nine week old son, my heart floods with love so overwhelming that I know it does not come from within me. As I hold him, and talk to him, and care for his needs, and feed him, and play with him–I am struck with thoughts that I know do not come from within me. How can I possibly love him so much? How can I love him even though he robs me of sleep?!!

Then I am struck: I love only because God first loved me, apart from His work in my life I am incapable of truly loving. Self will always taint the love of one who is separate from Christ. “Love” in the life of one who is not united to Christ will be selfish, and therefore is not really love at all. If I love this baby boy, it is by God’s grace at work in me.

The most striking thing about these words, “as beloved children,” is still this–the comparison between earthly families, and God’s family. My love for this little boy is so small compared to the love that God has for His children. The way my heart wells up within me is a fraction of what God “feels” for His family, for me. The thought that I never want to stop holding my beloved little boy is nothing when compared to God’s promise that nothing will remove His children from His grasp. Could He really feel that for His children? When my baby boy falls asleep on my shoulder, it is a new picture of my clinging to God; and the love that I feel at that moment is a new reminder of the deep love the Father has for His children that cling to Him, and run after Him as children welcoming their dad home from work, and follow in His footsteps as children who imitate their earthly fathers.

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