- Quote:
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children and 2walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
Paul is telling us that we should be an imitator of God. Well, what does it mean to imitate someone.
1. To use or follow as a model.
2.
a. To copy the actions, appearance, mannerisms, or speech of; mimic
b. To copy or use the style of
3. To copy exactly; reproduce.
4. To appear like; resemble.
Those are some definitions of what it means to imitate something, or someone. Paul is calling us to do just that. To copy God, to resemble, follow as a model, to reproduce. So what does that look like? How do we imitate God and walk in Love, just as Christ loved us. As we read on in Ephesians Chapter 5, it gives us a good picture.
- Quote:
But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints
That verse packs quite a lot. Immorality, impurity and greed should even be named among you. That means there shouldn't be even the tinniest hint of that in your life.
Some of you may ask what does Immorality and impurity mean. It's talking about Sexual immorality and impurity. That is any sort of sexual act, thought or desire that is outside of marriage. That ranges from extreme things such as pornography and sex, to simple things such as looking at someone in a lustful way. The Bible tells us, that there shouldn't be even a hint of that in our lives. It's not easy, believe me, but with God all things are possible. Also...
- Quote:
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
God will always be there to help you overcome temptation in your lives and to help you become an Imitator of Him.
- Quote:
4and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
Simple enough. We shouldn't be mean to others, tear them down or joke about things that don't glorify God, but rather to build people up and to give thanks in everything.
- Quote:
5For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Just as this verse says, people that deliberately practice those things don't have an inheritance in the Kingdom of God. That doesn't mean those that aren't trying to overcome it.
Let's use a young teenage boy by the name of Joesph for an example. Joesph at an earlier age, became addicted to pornography and was deep into lust. He looked at girls as objects, not as a human being. He also didn't know Christ. He was one of those people that didn't have an inheritance in the Kingdom of God. That is, until he accepted Christ as his savior. God changed his life around and now he is trying to live a life for God's glory, but he still messes up sometime in the lust area. Does that mean he does have an inheritance. No, we're all human, which means that we are going to mess up. What God is looking at, is your heart and whether your heart is trying to glorify Him or continue in the flesh.
- Quote:
7Therefore do not be partakers with them; 8for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 9(for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
Therefore, don't be partakes with them. If we want to be imitators of God and live for Him, we can't join in in practicing the things of this world and being immoral/impure people. Rather we have to walk in the light and strive to learn what pleases God. Our good works come from the Fruit which the Spirit of God produces in us. So walk in Spirit, not in the flesh.
- Quote:
11Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.
14For this reason it says,
"Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you."
Everything that we do will one day be exposed before God Almighty. Ever thing we hide in the closet or throw under the bed. It's all going to be exposed before the Light of the Lord. That is why Paul encourages us to not participate in those unfruitful deeds. That don't help us to become an imitator of Christ. But rather, they are what keep us spiritually dead and sleep. We want Christ to shine on us, and reflect the things we have selflessly done for God and not the selfish acts we have done for ourselves. Be an imitator God
- Quote:
15Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
As we've been told before, life is but a vapor. Thus we need to make most of the time God has given us on this planet and to glorify Him while we are. Be careful what you do so that you don't dishonor God. Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Praising God for everything that He has done in our lives and joining together with our brothers and sisters of Christ to do that. As it is said throughout the New Testament, in everything give thanks. There is always something you can be thankful for.
Let's recap on this. God calls us to imitate Him, or to copy/resemble Him. We do that by walking in love and honoring God with our lives. If we want to imitate God, we have to remove ever hint of sexual immorality and impurity. Our speech should be used to praise Him and build others up, not tearing them down. People that don't live a life for Christ won't have an inheritance in the Kingdom of God. Just because we mess up doesn't make us lose our inheritance, we have to strive to do better next time and remember to focus on Christ. Everything we do will be exposed someday, so let our works be ones that honor God. Finally, live our lives focused on Christ, giving thanks in everything, and striving to understand the will of God.
Therefore be imitators of God
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