Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children. (Eph. 5:1)
Expanded Passage: Ephesians 5:1-2
In May 1961, President John F. Kennedy challenged America to land a man on the moon. This bold vision captivated the world and birthed the Apollo program, leading to Neil Armstrong becoming the first man on the moon in July 1969. Apollo, however, did not appear out of thin air. Earlier, in May 1961, Alan Shepherd became the first American in space when he launched aboard a Mercury capsule dubbed Freedom 7, and in 1964, the Mercury program was succeeded by Project Gemini. In many ways, Apollo was modeled after the examples of these programs, incorporating what worked and fixing what did not.
In Ephesians 5, Paul continued to describe how the Christian should live in response to the grace God offers through Jesus Christ. Instead of giving detailed instructions, though, he encouraged his readers and us simply to strive to be just like our loving heavenly Father. That is, the apostle exhorted Christians to show the world the same sort of love that God showed them. The ultimate earthly expression of that love, of course, was Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross (v. 2), but Jesus actually exemplified God’s love in every word, deed, and attitude.
Christians say and do many things, but ultimately, their objective must be to exhibit God’s love. Therefore, we must pattern our lives—every word, deed, and attitude—after Jesus who came before us.
Follow God’s example of love by pursuing Christlikeness.
Jeremy Geerdes is a pastor in Des Moines, Iowa. He is passionate about holiness and his family.
© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
