Imitators Of God

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 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.  

Ephesians 5:1-2 

What is the imitation of God? The exhortation that begins our text calls us to this. It adds, ‘as dear children.’ This gives us a place to start our thinking. Children are imitators. They do what they see us do, say what they hear us say, and adopt the attitudes they observe in us. Therefore, when Paul says, ‘Therefore be imitators of God as dear children,’ we think of how they imitate us. The second portion of our text sets forth the Grand Example Whom we imitate. Paul says we should imitate God and immediately points to Christ. Therefore to imitate Christ is to ‘walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us.’ This love is self-sacrificial as His was. He gave Himself for us as the ultimate self-sacrifice. We learn to imitate Him. For us to walk in love, that is, consistently demonstrate love in the totality of our life, is to sacrifice, ourselves for others. This may take on many forms and involve many mundane, inglorious activities. These are the unsung deeds of love and kindness for which we may never receive recognition now. The day is coming, however, when Christ, sitting upon His Throne shall say, ‘Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto Me.’  

Our Gracious God and our Savior, 
we rejoice that You have set Christ before us. 
We praise You that to imitate You, 
is to imitate Him. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning