Young Adults' Group

Imitators Of God

by Pastor Mark
January 22, 2015

Being imitators of our heavenly Father

Last Saturday, we were learning at YAG about how we should be fellow imitators of Paul and of other good examples who walked as he did. I thought it would be good for us to extend the thought of being imitators and to consider what it means for us to be imitators of God, “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.” (Eph 5:1) The word “imitators” in the Greek is where you get the English word “mimic”. The Apostle Paul called for the brethren to mimic God as His children. As dear children of our heavenly Father, we should seek to develop a close relationship with Him. We should seek to be like Him and walk as He walked. Let’s be challenged to imitators of God.

1. Walk in love as Christ did.

“And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” (Eph 5:2)

An important aspect of God that we should imitate is His love. We should walk in the sphere of His love. The word “love” in Greek is “agape” which is often used to describe God’s kind of love. It is this divine love that we should walk in. Paul used the example of the love of Christ to manifest God’s love. Christ loved us and gave His very life as an offering and sacrifice to God. It was a sweet smelling offering to Him. We too should walk in a love that is sacrificial and honouring to the Lord. This love is one that is good and clean. There is nothing tainted or filthy about it. It is a love that involved things that are fitting to the saints. (Eph 5:3,4) Let’s be challenged to walk in the love of Christ.

2. Walk in the light of Christ

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.” (Eph 5:8-10)

Another aspect of God that we should imitate is His light. We should see ourselves as light in the Lord and to walk as children of light. The Lord Jesus is the light of the world. He gives us light. (Eph 5:14) We are to walk as light in this world of darkness. The light is related to the fruit of the Spirit. In being light of the Lord, we would bear fruits of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22,23) We should manifest these fruits as we are filled with Spirit of God. This stands in contrast to the unfruitful works of darkness. Let’s ensure that we walk in the light of the Lord, manifesting fruits of the Spirit rather than the unfruitful works of darkness.

3. Walk in wisdom as Christ did

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Eph 5:15,16)

The word “circumspectly” in Greek means to be careful or diligent in keeping to a certain standard. We are to walk carefully and diligently in wisdom. We should not allow ourselves to walk foolishly and let our time be wasted. We should walk wisely so that we will use our time well. The word “redeem” means to “buy”. We are to “buy” time by using it well. We should walk each day according to the will of the Lord, “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Eph 5:17) The Lord Jesus Himself used His time well, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day, the night is coming when no one can work.” (John 9:4) Let’s be challenged to walk circumspectly and wisely as the Lord Jesus did. Let’s be challenged to be imitators of God and to walk in following the example of the Lord Jesus.

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