“Be imitators of God” (Ephesians 5:1a)

The scriptures tell us to imitate God. What do they mean by that? Well in its context, Paul is talking to the Christian community in Ephesus and he is instructing them how to live as children of the light. To that end he says- “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love,  just as Christ has loved us and gave himself up for us” (Ephesians 4:32-5:2). So in what ways is Paul asking us to imitate God? We are to imitate God by being compassionate and kind. We are to imitate God by forgiving one another, why because others serve it- no because that is what Christ has done for us. You and me, if we are in Christ Jesus are, “dearly loved children”. We are not orphans, we are loved by God. So we should live as dearly loved children by imitating our Father and offering forward, forgiveness compassion and love.

So, meditate on the love God has for you- marvel at it, let it undo you. Be like John who said- “how great the love the father has lavished on us, so that we should be called children of God,” and as you do that may the Lord impart to you a love for others that overflows from a full heart.

Grace and peace from Marcus