Imitate

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

Ephesians 4:30

Just as it is natural for an earthly child to imitate his earthly father, so should the spiritual child imitate his Heavenly Father. The word imitate comes from the word mimeomai, from which we get our word mimic. It means “to act like.”

The next verse of the above passage goes on to tell us how, “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” We imitate God by loving as Christ loved. If we say we love God and we don’t show love to others than we are not being imitators of God.

When Alexander the Great discovered a coward in his army who also was named Alexander, he told the soldier, “Renounce your cowardice or renounce your name.” Those who carry God’s name are to be imitators of His character. By His grace it is possible to reflect Him even in our present limitations. We purposeful in showing love to others even when you don’t want to. By showing love to others you are showing them the love of God.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark