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Follow God\u2019s 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 5:1-2).

Paul has been writing about removing clothes stained by sin and its habits and dressing in the garments of resurrection life. But as most of us know, having unlimited choices in a clothing store can be either exhilarating or overwhelming. Thus, he now focuses our attention, \u201cfollow God\u2019s example.\u201d As children imitate their parents, Christians should emulate our heavenly Father.

To imitate God, we need to know him. Read about God building a relationship with Abraham and Sarah. Watch as God prepares Moses to lead his people out of Egypt. Observe how God raises David, slowly but surely, to be king of Israel. Walk with Peter and James and John and the others as they tag along with Jesus being trained, somewhat unwittingly, to be witnesses of his resurrection. Marvel at how easily Jesus interacts with the sick, the sinner and the self-righteous.

But of course, the habits of non-resurrection life -- theft, hard feelings, anger, rage, lying, hatred -- are deeply ingrained in us. Replacing them with the habits of resurrection takes work. We must persevere; we must be vigilant; those old habits do not die easily. Just when we think they have drowned, they pop back up to the surface in unexpected places. Try as we might, to imitate God is not possible for us.

Thus, the call to \u2018do what God does\u2019 is immediately followed with \u2018as dearly loved children\u2019. It is easy to fall into thinking that we need to do this thing in our own strength, but that will not do, \u2018we are dearly loved children.\u2019 This is our identity. Sin no longer defines who we are. No matter how many times we follow the devil\u2019s lead, our actions do not label us.

As dearly loved children, we are never abandoned. Jesus declared he would not leave his disciples orphaned but send them the Holy Spirit to lead them in the resurrection life. It is only by the power of God, given through the Holy Spirit, that we make progress in the Christian life. And that gift is always at hand.

These two verses serve as a beacon amid this long list of clothing spanning chapters 4 & 5. Here, we are grounded in two actions: love and worship \u2013 behaviours that we see Christ engaging in. Two acts that are deeply connected, while at the same time, very costly. Jesus love for the Father and for us was so deep that he willingly walked the road of suffering all the way to the cross. It was and is a fragrant offering that, through the Spirit\u2019s work, permeates our living.

Paul articulates how this is demonstrated in our lives: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

To walk this road of love will require sacrifices on our part; there is no other way. But recognize that each act of love towards a fellow human is at the same time an act of worship offered to the Father. \xa0So let us carefully observe the ways of God in love, \u201cas Christ loved us,\u201d and the ways of God in worship, as Christ \u201cgave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God\u201d (5:1-2). The way of love and worship poses many challenges, and often we cannot see the way clearly; thus, we go forward with this blessing:

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:17-21).