Be Imitators of God

Thesis: How does the believer fulfill the requirements
Paul has just listed in Ephesians chapter 4? As we
move to Chapter 5 of his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul begins with the first of 3 commands to help us achieve the standards he set forth: Mimic God !

1. Walk Like God (v.1)
   • Most astounding verse in Ephesians?
   • Highest calling -- to walk like God himself
   • Greek grammar = soemthing we are to continually do
   • "imitator" = english word mimic
   • how can we mimic a holy, infinite, perfect God?
   • Matthew 5:48 says to be perfect as God is
   • We cannot/should not mimic His omni/eternal traits
   • We are to mimic God's morally execellent attributes:
     • wise
     • just, merciful
     • patient, long-suffering
     • faithful
     • forgiving, good
     • loving
   • In what manner are we to imitate God . . . .
     . . . . .as beloved children!
     Children of the holy are to themselves be holy
     (1 Peter 1:14-15)
   • "Christian" = little Christ. We are to be
     literally a christ in our actions, behavior, etc.
     • Should want others to become beloved children
       (evangelize)
   • Love = Christ lived perfect life for us, died for us
   • As believer, should naturally want to imitate good, loving, perfect Father

CONCLUSION: The believer should imitate/mimic God out of desire to be like Him to Him and for others.