Ephesians 5:1-2

THE HIGHEST DIGNITY OF MAN

‘Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us.’

Ephesians 5:1

We can follow God in love. In this ability our highest dignity as men resides, because this allies us perfectly to God, as children to a father. Let us look first at some other views of the dignity of man which are more popular.

I. Some discourse to us of the dignity of our humanity, whilst they describe the God-like power of intellect, and how, in what it has done, and will do, it elevates us above all other orders of creation, and allies us to God. There is truth in this, but it is not the whole truth. We shall not discover the firmest ground of our alliance with God if we seek it in that direction. The path of intellect leads us up towards God, but it does not reach God.

II. But other voices dwell on natural forces and results, pointing, as in proof of the dignity of our manhood, to the enduring monuments of our physical strength—great cities built, the ocean covered with ships, mountains tunnelled, and the earth belted with metallic rings for the transmission alike of mind and merchandise. Let no one doubt that there is truth also in this, though not the whole truth nor the most important truth.

III. But now, in the exercise of love, we may find that most real relationship with God which gives to our nature its highest dignity. If the acts of intellect or physical power be imperfect, the acts of love are perfect. A loving word or thought or deed wants nothing to complete it: it does its blessed work, and does it fully, both to him who gives and to him who receives it. The loving man is, in the full sense of the term, a follower of God even as a child of a father.

Illustration

‘To all men of all orders and degrees—to poor and rich, servants and masters, to labouring men and gentlefolk, to the unlearned and to scholars—the command goes forth, “Be ye followers of God, as dear children.” You can follow God as partakers of the Divine nature, which is Love. You can follow God in this most God-like attribute as dear children. Let your daily life, then, be one of love. You may not be rich in money, but be rich in love.’