Ephesians 4:32-5:2 | Be Imitators

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 loved us, and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrificed to God. Ephesians 4:32-5:2 Ask any mom or dad and they’ll tell you that without much work, a young child will imitate the behavior of their parents, for better or for worse. The facial tendencies of mom or the phrases of dad. Because a child’s first example is that of her parents, she’ll grasp every small detail and imitate who they are. In a similar way, Paul reminds his audience to be imitators of God. This begins by examining our lives. From chapter 4:25, Paul gives practical examples: Do not speak wrongly of each other. Do not let your anger turn into sin. Do not steal but provide. In other words, show kindness, compassion, and love. See how Jesus did it and pursue that! (Paraphrased). By identifying our thoughts and behaviors, we can filter which ones are going in the right direction and which ones we can let go of. The longer we walk with him, we pick up his heart and desire more and more. We realize that God is kind. He is compassionate. He is lovingly sacrificial. Then, we realize that we can be the same. Imitating God is simply walking with God long enough that his example changes us from the inside out. What is kindness? What is compassion? Can you think of a story in your own life when this was displayed to you? In what ways would you like to imitate God more? Any specific characteristics? See Gal 5:22-23. What does sacrificial love mean to you? When you read the verse from above, what stands out to you?