Clothed in Christ: Becoming Who You Already Are
A child walks into the room, drowning in a shirt far too big for him. The sleeves hang past his hands, and the hem brushes his knees. It’s his grandfather’s shirt. He’s beaming. Everyone smiles—not because it fits, but because it doesn’t. Not yet.
And that’s the image I can’t shake from this week’s passage:
“Be imitators of God, as dearly loved children…” (Ephesians 5:1)
Not warriors. Not achievers. Not try-harder-to-be-better types.
Children.
This isn’t a command to earn something. It’s an invitation to grow into something we’ve already been given. That oversized shirt? It’s the righteousness of Christ. We don’t wear it because we’ve earned it—we wear it because we’ve received it.
You’re Not Playing Dress-Up
It’s easy to feel like an imposter in the Christian life. We hear Paul say, “Imitate God,” and the weight of that lands heavy. Be loving. Be kind. Be patient. Be holy. And suddenly our spiritual walk starts to sound like a performance review.
But Paul isn’t saying “pretend.” He’s not saying, “Earn your spot.” He’s saying, “This is who you are now—start walking like it.”
You’re not playing dress-up in someone else’s identity.
You’re growing into your own.
And like a child wearing a shirt too big, God isn’t scowling at the fit. He’s smiling at the growth.
Imitating Love, Not Earning It
Paul says to “walk in love,” just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us.
Love, in the way of Jesus, isn’t about getting—it’s about giving. It’s not transactional. It’s not “I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine.” It’s sacrificial. It’s fragrant. It’s beautiful.
And that kind of love contrasts deeply with the counterfeits Paul names: sexual immorality, greed, crude speech. These are love flipped in on themselves—selfish, consuming, and hollow.
But here’s the surprising twist: Paul doesn’t just say, “Don’t do that.” He says, “Replace it.”
“Obscene and foolish talking… are not suitable, but rather giving thanks.” (v. 4)
Thankfulness is a weapon against the false loves that pull us away from God.
Gratitude kills lust. It silences greed. It tames our tongues.
When we fill our hearts with thanksgiving for who God is and what He’s given, the hollow promises of false loves start to lose their grip.
From Trying Hard to Trusting Deeply
You may feel like you’re failing.
You may feel like the righteousness of Christ doesn’t “fit” you yet.
You may even wonder if God is tired of your stumbling.
But hear this: God doesn’t look at you with disappointment—He looks at you with delight.
You’re not being asked to fake it.
You’re being formed.
To imitate God isn’t to become something foreign. It’s to grow into your truest identity: a child of God, clothed in Christ, walking in love, being formed into His likeness—one grateful step at a time.
So today, pause.
Breathe in grace.
And walk in love.
You’re not an imposter.
You’re His.