Imitators of God: Living a Christ-like Life
Verse: Ephesians 5:1
Paul is asking us to be an imitator of God.
As children, we imitate our parents.
1 Cor 11:1, we are God’s children. We have to imitate what God is. We must walk and talk like God as children walk and talk like their father.
Why Imitating God is Important.
Children represent their houses. Children don’t do what they are told to do, but what they observe, they do.
If you are a man of integrity and a prayerful woman, then your children will be the same.
Our heavenly Father is loving, caring, and gracious, so when we become like him, people know our father. If we don’t follow God’s word, we misrepresent him.
The Meaning of Being an Imitator of God
The word imitator comes from the Greek word “mimetai” which means mimic means imitating somebody.
Paul wants you to talk, walk, and behave like God.
We are liars if we preach the word but don’t follow it.
You must look like God; by watching your behavior and attitude, people will know about God.
The Qualities of God We Must Imitate
Paul was a persecutor, but he was changed into the image of Christ. He was the bigger and more famous one, but he read how Jesus washed the feet of his disciples.
- When you are forgiving and loving, then people will see God in you.
- Matthew 5:48, Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. It’s our job to be like a father.
- You would feel bad if your son is addicted or in bad company when you are not like that.
- It hurts the Father when you don’t pray and study the word and use the wrong language.
- Jesus said to Pharisees that Satan is a liar.
- You are the light in your college, office, and house.
- When you are the image of God, then how can you use the language that God doesn’t use?
- Sin doesn’t glorify God.
- Jealousy, malice, hatred, and bitterness don’t glorify God.
- Be perfect like your God.
Paul is encouraging us to imitate God. He says to imitate him as he imitates God.
This should be our goal, vision, and desire to be like our God.
If you are like God, all your needs will be fulfilled.
Sometimes we pray for our needs and demands, but God knows our needs, intentions, and demands without asking him.
The real prayer is – I want to be like you, God!
When people see or meet you, they must feel that they are meeting God.
Imitating means copying someone’s behavior.
You are asked to imitate Christ. He said to forgive your enemies.
Forgiveness is the toughest job, and he showed us how to forgive the enemies. You can be a prayer warrior but unforgiving.
If you are not forgiving and humble, then there is no use in being a prayer warrior.
Matthew 5:48, Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Don’t give excuses that you cannot be like Jesus.
Be perfect in the way you watch, talk, listen, and respond.
Every attitude and behavior should be like God. He is not asking to be like our parents or church leaders, but himself.
As God loved the world, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:11, Sometimes it’s tough to love our family members and friends; as humans, we tend to make mistakes.
The first time, it’s easy to love, but when you know each other, you should also love that person.
Even when times are challenging and tough, you should also imitate God.
Let people change or backbite, but you should not change because you are imitating God.
You must forgive even if the other party is not forgiving. You should not abuse even if the other person is abusing you.
People may be negative about you, talk about you, or mock you, but you should be quiet when people are spitting or punching Jesus; he didn’t say a word. He already said that he came to fulfill the will of his father.
Sometimes, people try to malign your image. Be like Jesus; let God fight for you. Don’t say anything.
1 Peter 1:15-16, Be holy as I’m holy. We are imitating God. This world is dying of sin. Maintain your eyes, body language, dressing sense, lifestyle, and time.
Paul says he was not only good in front of God but maintained his testimony in front of people also.
To imitate God, you must know God
If you want to imitate someone, you must know him. How do you know God? From the Bible.
If you want to be like Jesus and want your family to be like God, then you will read the Bible.
Your knowledge about Jesus is little. Jesus is holy, calm, and tries to save till the last time; he doesn’t say anything wrong. Jesus doesn’t scream.
Jesus came because of sin and to save his people, not to show his power, healing, and strength.
- If you are entertaining sin, then you are not interested in having fellowship with God.
- You will not enjoy worship, word, and prayer because of sin.
- know the nature of God.
- After prayer also, we are the same, unforgiving.
- Change your prayer so that you and everything around you change.
- The church today is interested in knowing the celebrities, but do you have a desire to know God?
- Coming to church is one thing, but knowing God is different.
- You may feel proud that you are in the best church or have the best pastor, but that will not help you.
- If your wife prays, she will go to heaven, not you.
- You must have your relationship with Jesus. If you deny him, he will deny you before the heavenly Father.
