“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.” -Ephesians 5:1

Let me give you a simple front porch truth this morning.

God never asks us to be something we are not. He asks us to live out who we already are.

Paul did not say, “Act like strangers trying to impress a holy God.” He said, “Be followers of God, as dear children.” That means you belong. That means you are loved. That means you are not trying to earn a seat at the table — you already have one.

Children imitate what they love.

If a little boy admires his daddy, he walks like him, talks like him, tries to wear his boots. Not because he has to. Because he wants to.

That is what Paul is saying. Walk like your Father. Forgive like your Father. Show mercy like your Father. Love like your Father.

You do not follow God to become loved.

You follow God because you are loved.

And when you remember that you are a “dear child,” it changes everything. You stop striving. You stop pretending. You simply stay close.

Stay close to the Father today.

Listen to His voice.

Watch His ways.

And take the next step behind Him.

Because children who stay near their Father never lose their way.