By Kelly T. Dixon
Reading: Ephesians 5:1-14
What does it mean to imitate God? Christians try on a regular basis to fulfill the answer to this question. However, many times we take the wrong avenues to do so. In our efforts to be imitators of God we tend to follow the lead of other Christians and usually end up down the wrong track.
Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:1-2:
Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:1-2:
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
To imitate someone you will need to study exactly what that person does and do the same. The word imitate means to follow or endeavor to follow as a model. In addition, it means to have or assume the appearance of; simulate; resemble. If we are to imitate God, we must follow His examples and resemble Him in our actions.
In this section of Scripture, Paul points us in the direction of how to imitate God. He tells us we should look at what Christ did and follow His example. Christ showed us how to love throughout His whole earthly ministry and He continues to do so today by empowering us through the Holy Spirit.
Have you ever thought about the fact that the Holy Spirit is the only Person of the Godhead Who is active on earth at this time? Scripture tells us that Jesus ascended into heaven; sits at the right hand of God the Father; and will come again from heaven someday to take us home. But the Holy Spirit at Pentecost came to be with us, to live in us, to guide us, and to help us live Christ-like. This world sees the love of Christ today through us and our responsibility is to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in how we can show God’s love and resemble Him.
Have you ever thought about the fact that the Holy Spirit is the only Person of the Godhead Who is active on earth at this time? Scripture tells us that Jesus ascended into heaven; sits at the right hand of God the Father; and will come again from heaven someday to take us home. But the Holy Spirit at Pentecost came to be with us, to live in us, to guide us, and to help us live Christ-like. This world sees the love of Christ today through us and our responsibility is to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in how we can show God’s love and resemble Him.
I’ve noticed an awesome trend as I grow closer to Christ. The more I study His Word and apply it to my life, the more I tend to take on His traits as led by the Holy Spirit. I look at the hearts and backgrounds of individuals in a different manner. Those who use to get on my nerves quickly (sometimes just by walking in the room) no longer bother me as they did before. As Christ starts to make His way prevalent in my life, I long to be more of a lover of His people than ever before. Many times this requires me to deny my fleshly feelings of anger, resentment, and cattiness. This is a desire that can only come from the Holy Spirit.
In reality, we do not know how to love without the Holy Spirit leading us to do so. I feel that love is one of the most important parts of the Fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22) In fact, I see the string of love wrapped throughout the rest of the fruit. For it is hard to be joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and have self-control without following the lead of the Spirit in loving others. If we are not fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit leading us in love, we will end up in a fleshly state every time. Our love will lead to lustfulness, compromising our faith, and fruitless deeds of this world. Our love for others will become tainted and we will not live a life worthy of the calling we received from the Lord. Ultimately, before we know it our part of the unity of the body of Christ will be destroyed because we will no longer bear with one another in love and make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-2)
How have you been allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you in imitating God? Are you allowing Him to lead you in loving others? Draw near to God by asking His Spirit to reveal to you areas in your life where you are not allowing His love to be imitated. Constantly marinate yourself in His Word so that you will know the actions Jesus took for loving others. These steps, along with a heart that is seeking God’s guidance to the fullest, will manifest the love of Jesus to this lost world so desperately in need of it!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I have loved others through the flesh. Help me to learn through Your Holy Spirit how to love so that I may imitate You in this fallen world. In Christ, Amen.
Journal/Ponder: When was the last time you tried to work with or love someone that seemed difficult to love? What was it about that person that made it hard? What did you try to do to love them? Did you seek God’s guidance in loving them? If so, what was your experience? If not, what faults did you discover in your actions of loving this person in the flesh?
