Walking in Love - Ephesians 5:1

What would you say is the main goal of our Christian life? Surprisingly for some, getting to heaven is not the answer. The main goal of our Christian life is to imitate God.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
-Ephesians 5:1

Aside from the verse above, Scripture tells us this in a number of ways. That we had been predestined to be conformed into the image of His Son (Romans 8:29, Ephesians 1:5). That we should imitate those who are imitating Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1, 1 Thessalonians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 2:14). And many other statements like these.

However, if were only read only read the beginning of Ephesians 5:1, we miss the method for us to actually imitate God. Paul's admonition for us to imitate God, ends with him specifying to do it as beloved children. While many people many undertake the endeavor to be like God, the essential starting point is to receive His love as His child first. God needs to be the first cause in all that we do. Before Jesus began His public ministry, He heard the affirmation of love from the Father (Matthew 3:17). Similarly, before we do for God, we need to receive love from Him. We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).

As we live for God and want to do what pleases Him, let's do it in the way that He prescribes. Romans 11:36 tells us that "For from him and through him and to him are all things." We should not only desire to do what please Him, but how it pleases Him. Otherwise we run the risk trying to please Him, without the heart that He desires which is actually in vain (Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 15:8). We should imitate God by faith (which it's impossible to please Him without-Hebrews 11:6) and through love (1 Corinthians 16:14).