Ephesians 5:1-2 - Jeannie Waters, Writer & Speaker

Liz Curtis Higgs grabbed my attention with joyful greetings when she opened her weekly “Rise and Shine Mondays LIVE with Liz” online presentations. “Lively” is a more apt description.

“Good morning, Lord!” she often prays in a cheery voice when she teaches online. Then she praises Him and requests His help and blessings for listeners.

Liz sprinkles funny stories into her teaching, often laughing at herself. She shares the names she assigned to her wigs during chemotherapy and giggles about the large, colorful earrings she prefers.

Although I learn from Liz’s deep study of Scripture and obvious reverence for the Lord, I also enjoy her contagious passion for God’s Word and the way she shares joy and other blessings. An international speaker and author of over thirty books, Liz seeks to obey God and share His truths with her unique blend of teaching and laughter.

I view Liz as a woman who stands on tiptoe each morning with a big smile, ready to capture the blessings God designed for that day. She embraces them for her life and generously shares them with others—blessings like His love, mercy, kindness, laughter, forgiveness, generosity, guidance in trials, and more. She points not to herself but back to the Giver of all good gifts, our heavenly Father (James 1:7).

Although I admire this godly woman, years ago, I learned the hard way not to pattern my life after another person—even a godly woman like Liz Curtis Higgs. God made each of us as unique individuals created for His plans, and He teaches us to imitate Him, not other people.

God made each of us as unique individuals created for His plans, and He teaches us to imitate Him, not other people. Share on X

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV

We can, however, notice Christlike characteristics in others and pray for God to continue His work in us. In Philippians 1:6, He promises He will. I admire Liz’s diligent Bible study and her exuberance for sharing His truths and His goodness with others.

As we follow Christ, we can start our days with cheer and prayer as Liz started her presentations. We can take time to study the Bible, notice God’s blessings, embrace them into our lives as we thank Him, and then ask Him to help us share His gifts with those we meet each day.

As we follow Christ, we can start our days with cheer and prayer. Share on X

Your turn

What suggestions do you have for beginning each morning on tiptoe with a big smile, ready to capture the blessings God designed for the day? How have others helped you focus on a truth from God’s Word or shared His blessings with you?

“Mom, you don’t need to buy new clothes,” my daughter said as she helped me plan for an upcoming conference. “Shop your own closet.”

Numerous website’s offer the same advice: Survey the contents of your own closet to create new outfits. Why buy more if creative planning can multiply the potential number of outfits? Makes sense.

The strategy of shopping our own closets saves time and money. It also provides opportunities to try new combinations and accessories with the clothing we already have.

God’s Word teaches us how to dress our hearts with the Christlike behaviors and attitudes He has already given us, such as compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12 ESV

After he encouraged believers, then and now, to “forgive each other” (v. 13), Paul continued, “And above all, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (v.14).

Among other virtues, he elevates love— “above all these”—and writes that love “binds everything together.”

We sometimes select a particular sweater or piece of jewelry to create harmony and tie the pieces of an outfit together. The garment of God’s love prepares us to walk in victory with Jesus and reflect His heart to the world around us, binding us together in love.

The message resonates throughout Scripture: God loves, and His children love.

How can we put on Christ’s love each day and share it with others?

1. Study Scripture.

In His wisdom, God instructs us how to adopt Christlike behavior. He leads us through His Word to live in a way that reflects His glory and allows us to live in harmony with others as we minister to them.

Paul, with Holy Spirit inspiration, encouraged believers to wear the behaviors and characteristics that are stored in their own hearts. This strategy leads us to imitate Jesus, the perfect model for love.

Read about the earthly life of Jesus, our perfect example. He took time to notice people—the woman at the well, the tax collector in the tree, and the children in the crowd. He fellowshiped with people others ignored and taught God’s truths to crowds and small groups. He met needs and prayed for those around Him.

2. Pray for guidance.

Ask God to show you ways to extend His love to others, then watch for opportunities. God never leads us without equipping us.

The clothes of virtue Colossians three instructs us to put on are already hanging in our heart’s closet. There’s no need to run to a mall or beg God to give us these qualities. He already has. If we are His, the traits Paul listed fit us well and portray the light of Christ to others.

When Jesus came to dwell in our hearts, God adopted us as children and gave us the capacity to love as He loves. We don’t love perfectly, but God gradually transforms us and provides opportunities for us to extend love to others as we listen to Him and obey.

We don’t love perfectly, but God gradually transforms us and provides opportunities for us to extend love to others as we listen to Him and obey. Share on X

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.
1 John 3:1

3. Notice the way other Christians display the love of Christ.

Once we repent of our sins and surrender our lives to Jesus, His Holy Spirit resides in us, and He enables us to display Christlike characteristics. God also instructs us to serve others in His name. As children of God, we imitate our Father and embrace His teaching.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2

Do you remember occasions when others who walk with God extended His love to you? What evidence of sharing His love have you observed this week?

4. Consider ways you might express love through encouraging words, acts of kindness, or meaningful gifts.

Who in your circle of influence needs to experience God’s love this week through one of these means?

We can find ways to show His love to those around us whether we are young or old, working or retired, rich or poor. He gives each believer spiritual gifts for the purpose of meeting the needs of others.

Believers are not to envy or copy the way other Christians show love and serve the Lord. Instead, we keep our eyes on Him as we love others in our own unique God-given style.

We often follow fashion trends and imitate the clothing styles of others. For our spiritual dress, we are to imitate our heavenly Father and clothe our hearts with love.

For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
1 John 3:11

Consider these questions:

1. How has God equipped you to love and serve others in His kingdom’s work?

2. In what ways have others shown the love of Christ to you?

3. How can you share the love of Jesus this week?

Please add a comment about how you plan to put on love this week. It’s a great fit!

This post concludes our series on renewing our hearts with God this spring.

Bible verses are taken from the ESV.

Tag: Ephesians 5:1-2

Four Ways to Put On Christ’s Love and Share It with Others