📖 Ephesians 5:1–2

This week’s message brought a powerful, direct challenge straight from the words of the Apostle Paul—a challenge for every believer to live in a way that truly reflects who we claim to be in Christ. If we wear the name “Christian,” if we call ourselves followers of Jesus, then we should live in a way that honors that name. Paul opens Ephesians chapter 5 with a bold reminder of that truth, and the sermon this week asked the same question:

👉 Would the real Christian please stand up?

If that sounds familiar, it’s because it was borrowed (tongue in cheek) from an old Eminem song. But the point behind the question is serious. In a world full of blurred lines and mixed messages, the Church of Jesus Christ must not be confused with the culture it’s meant to reach. The difference between saints and sinners should be clear—because our calling is clear.

1. A Call to Be Who We Say We Are

Paul writes in Ephesians 5:

📖 “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.”

This passage isn’t about appearances or good behavior for show. Paul is saying, If you call yourself a Christian—live like one.

Just like a child learns by imitating their parents, we are to imitate God, our Heavenly Father. We’re not called to fake it. We’re called to reflect it.

When we embrace that identity—as children of God—we’re not just agreeing to a set of beliefs. We’re surrendering to a new way of life. That’s the heart of this message.

🔹 Being a Christian is not about performance; it’s about identity.
🔹 And identity leads to imitation.
🔹 And imitation points people to Jesus.

2. What Does It Mean to Imitate God?

Imitating God means living in a way that increases His reputation in the world. When people see our lives, they should see glimpses of the Father. Not perfection—but humility, transformation, love, and grace.

Paul uses two phrases in these verses that ground us in our identity:

• “As beloved children…”
  You are deeply loved by God. Not because of what you do, but because of who you are in Him. His child.

• “Walk in love…”
  If we want to imitate God, love must be the defining characteristic of our lives. Not just in feeling, but in action.

Just like Jesus demonstrated His love by giving Himself for us, we are called to love sacrificially—with patience, kindness, humility, and forgiveness.

Love is not just a warm sentiment. It’s a walk. It’s visible. It’s deliberate. And it always points back to the cross.

3. It’s Time to Draw a Clear Line

We live in a time when it can be difficult to tell the difference between the church and the world. But that’s not how God designed it to be.

🛑 Being a Christian isn’t just about Sunday morning attendance.
🛑 It’s not just about doing good things.
🛑 It’s not even just about believing the right doctrines.

✅ It’s about living out our new life in Christ, every day.
✅ It’s about walking differently because we are different.
✅ It’s about drawing a clear line and choosing which team we’re really on.

You can’t play for both sides.

Paul’s message—and this sermon’s plea—is to live a life that is unmistakably Christian. A life that gives no doubt about which kingdom we belong to.

4. A Life That Points to the Cross

Paul finishes verse 2 by saying:

📖 “…as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Jesus didn’t just say “I love you.”
He proved it—with a cross.

He gave Himself up—for us.

That is our model. That is our message. And that is our motivation.

When we walk in love, when we live like Jesus, when we follow God in word and in action—we’re not just doing our “Christian duty.” We’re offering our lives back to God as a fragrant offering.

We’re saying: “This life you gave me—it’s yours.”

Final Thought: Will the Real Christian Please Stand Up?

Paul’s message is clear. If you bear the name of Christ, live in a way that reflects it.

🙌 Don’t just wear the uniform.
🙌 Don’t just sit on the bench.
🙌 Don’t just talk the talk.

Stand up. Live it out. Walk in love.

Because someone is watching. Someone is wondering if the faith we claim is real.

And they won’t know unless we show them.

📝 So let’s ask ourselves:

• Are we walking in love today?

• Are we imitating the heart of our Father?

• Are we living lives that make it easy for others to believe in Jesus?

If you’re a Christian—be one.

Make it obvious. Make it joyful. Make it count.

Because the world doesn’t need more religious talk.
It needs more real Christians willing to stand up and shine.