Ephesians 5:1 “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”
The question, What does it mean to be “followers of God”, is answered this way; “walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us”. That is as “Christ” was obedient to His Father and entered this world and made such great “sacrifice” of “himself” for us; thus, showing His “love” to His Father and to us; we should do likewise to the best of our ability! We should go to whatever lengths necessary to show our “love” to our Lord and to “Be … followers of God”. Our Lord even used such language as; “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24) and “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15). It is important to note that a “cross” is an emblem of suffering and sacrifice; thus, to “Be … followers of God” is to be prepared to, not only endure, but to also “take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake” (II Corinthians 12:10). Great justifying emphasis is given to the Commandment to “Be … followers of God”; the Apostle explains that our Beloved Lord “hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour”. This manifestation of such “great love” (Ephesians 2:4) ought to compel us to daily, in most humble and contrite worship, cry, “What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?” (Psalms 116:12); that is, ‘Oh my Lord, how can I be a better follower of You, how can I better show my love to You, how can I better show my love to Your people, how can I better show my love to Your Church?!