Copy Machine
Then, be imitators of God, as beloved children; Ephesians 5:1
Imitators – When Paul exhorts the believers in Ephesus to imitate God, he fully expects that they will do so. We might find that expectation a little too much. After all, who can really imitate God? But Paul is adamant about it. His use of the Greek word mimetai comes from a verb meaning to mimic. He anticipates that his readers will copy the Holy One of Israel. Paul isn’t the only one who commands believers to copy God. John, Peter and Jesus all say the same thing. For most Western readers, this demand will be translated into some kind of spiritual attitude or moral behavior. We will think that imitating God means being kind, generous, forgiving and compassionate. It certainly does. After all, when God reveals His character in Exodus 34:6, He sets the standard for our like behavior. But if that’s all we think about when it comes to mimicking God, we will have overlooked the “then” in Paul’s exhortation.
In order to add the background to Paul’s requirement, we must go back to chapter 4 and look at his previous argument. Notice what he says:
Walk worthily of the calling (4:1), be humble and meek (4:2), be long-suffering and bear with one another (4:2), chase unity (4:3), exercise your ability to provide for the body (4:11), seek perfect completion (4:12), be fully grown in faith (4:13), speak the truth in love (4:15), assist each other (4:16), be distinctively different from the world (4:17), put off the old man (4:22), be renewed in the Spirit (4:23), put on the new man (4:24), be a good neighbor (4:25), do not sin (4:26), give no opportunity for the Accuser (4:27), do not steal (4:28), domesticate your tongue (4:29), do not grieve the Spirit (4:30), turn away from unholy attitudes (4:31), be kind, tenderhearted and forgiving (4:32).
After all this, “then” imitate God. Like most of Paul’s rabbinic instruction, we are not left in the dark about what to do. If you want to imitate God, just do those things listed in chapter 4. They are your self-check program for the copy machine. Anyone who does these things will exemplify the Lord and glorify His name.
Notice that nearly every one of the checklist indicators is understood as an action observable to others. In fact, these actions are easily recognizable. We know when someone is faking humility, resisting the Spirit, not controlling the tongue and retaining unholy attitudes. We don’t have any problem evaluating the checklist of others. Now, says Paul, it’s time to turn that natural discernment on ourselves. Paul provides the list. We have to do the evaluation. Maybe you’ll want to look over those “copy” behaviors again. And if you have trouble deciding how you’re doing, you can always ask your spouse!
Topical Index: imitators, mimetai, Ephesians 5:1
Things To Do Today: be like G-d. lol!! That’s quite a list brother Skip and the funny part is- it’s not even complete! (but wait.. there’s more!)- lol!
Yeshua (the “human face” of G-d) also stated.. “follow me”- (do as I do..) Be like me. This is my (and your) “assignment” for today. This is the “will of G-d.” To “follow” the Shepherd, stay close to Him and to listen (shema) to His voice. “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk you in it, when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left.” (Isaiah 30.21)
We (desperately) need the Shepherd. Why? – because da sheep (us) have a brain the size of a walnut. -(just the facts ma’m) We need Him more than we know. – How do I know this?-
“I am the vine, you are the branches. The one who abides in me while I abide in him produces much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15.5) If you don’t mind, I would like to “reread” this verse several times to let it “sink in.” As one dear sister said recently, I need to “marinate” myself in this. “without/apart from Christ (dwelling within) I can do nothing. “Zero,zip,zilch-nada.”
A recent post on Today’s Word spoke of the “progressive revelation” of G-d. Well. here’s a tiny (monstrous) piece: “without Me you can do nothing.”
Will I agree with what has been written in G-d’s book? Will I say unto the G-d who hears prayer: “without You LORD, I can do nothing?” Or will the G-d who has shown Himself merciful and faithful be compassionate toward me and reply through His Holy Breath: “I can do all things through (the) Christ which strengthens me” (Philippians 4.13)
I have been very blessed to have had a godly pastor. A man who “followed/imitated Christ.” Not in word only- but in deed and in truth. “Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” (1 John 3.18) I remember him saying this: (this should encourage us!-lol!) “the Christian life is not difficult- it’s impossible!”
Huh? Impossible? Well then.. I s’pose I’ll just throw up my hands and walk away from this mess. – Not so fast there.. hombre: “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1.6)
If I may.. – (hallelujah!).
Thank you my Savior, for your cross which made this “relationship” possible.
Yes, LORD, I glady, fully, freely confess- openly and unashamedly- “without (or apart from) You- I can do nothing”, but Lord because I serve the Giver all of good gifts, who is faithful and compassionate and knows the end from the beginning, I can walk confidently this day in your provision: “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Thank you, Holy One, for living in me. Change me, mold me, break me, use me in building and restoring your kingdom here on earth today. This I ask at your invitation and because Calvary made this prayer possible. Amen.
That was a great devotion. Thanks again for your faithfulness to the Word.
Shalom, Alan
For those who genuinely desire to mature in their relationship with GOD and the world around them, there’s enough material here to keep one growing for a lifetime.
Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
How grateful to have been called by name to the One who loved me before I loved Him! And now, accordingly, I desire to please my Father.
Daddy, what do you desire?
Jhn 8:42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.
Jhn 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.
May the mercy and grace from His heart touch our heart…open the eyes of my heart LORD.