. . . be imitators of God, as beloved children.” — Ephesians 5:1
I know you have heard this verse a gazillion times. Have you ever taken a moment to consider what it means to imitate God? I mean He is God after all. How can we be an imitator of Christ when we are mere finite beings?
Knowing Christ through His Word is a great place to start. The exhortations that Paul gives are intended to guide believers into patterns of wise living. He wants us to develop Christ-like qualities in our Christian lives. Brian Bell, senior pastor at Calvary Murrieta in Murrieta, CA, offers many ideas on these qualities but says we should start with learning to Live a Life of Love.
Recognize that Paul presents this kind of life in terms of the highest standard possible. He is not suggesting we be imitators, he is commanding that we live as imitators of Christ. We are to mimic Christ. If we are to fulfill this command we must live it in present tense, continuous, and with ongoing action. But, how can we mimic God if we are not in his Word? We cannot. It is in the Word that we discover how to copy God, which is to “Walk in Love. Walk in Purity. Walk as Light. Walk Carefully. Walk Filled.” Again, this is not a suggestion. If we are true believers we must imitate God by how we treat one another.
Do you believe that you can discuss this month’s affirmation verse with your children and grandchildren? If we are not living this life of imitation, we still cannot. Oh, we could guess at it and possibly explain the definition of it, but until we whole-heartedly live it, and demonstrate it in their presence they will never grasp the full blessings of a life of love by your example. If you lay this blessing on the shelf of complacency and never discuss it, neither of you will grow.
October’s Game Plan:
1. Why not buy them a Bible if they don’t have one. Put their name on it and write a note that will show your love for generations to come. If they already have one—great!
2. Pray together before you begin your discussion. Ask the Lord for his presence.
3. Sit down and look this verse up together and discuss it. Ask, what does it mean? Have some examples ready to discuss and ask if they have any ideas as well.
4. This is a tool to open a door toward discussing a life of love and imitating Christ. Use it as a beginning point to discuss other passages of scripture.
I am praying for you!
Andrew Oldham is a Northsider.
