A “facebook friend” recently asked in her status — “I want to memorize Ephesians 5:1-21; anyone want to join me?” I was excited to participate; it’s wonderful to see how God will speak to me and change me as I memorize and meditate on a passage for an extended length of time.
I want to continue the “this and that” posts where you can hear about the happenings in Midlothian, but I also want to include some meditations and observations of a passage of Scripture, and would love to hear your thoughts.
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” (Eph. 5:1 ESV)
You are correct; I sure didn’t get very far! Let that sentence rest on you a while. “Imitate” God; follow His example. How can we do that? How can I be an imitator of God?
Professional “lookalikes” to celebrities “imitate” by watching the celebrities; studying their habits, gestures, inflections, any kind of mannerisms. They seek to copy their subject. If I am to be an imitator of God, I need to learn who He is — His character, His words, His ways.
Henry Blackaby has stated that he always spends some amount of time in the gospels, no matter what other Bible reading he is doing. When asked why, he states that, Jesus said that “if you have seen me, you have seen the Father. . .” (John 14:9). If I want to follow Jesus’ example, and only do what the Father is doing (John 5:19) then I need to be in the gospels, to see what Jesus did and know who He is.”
So, in order to be an imitator of God, I must seek to know Jesus. The reason? Because I am a beloved child, among other things. The motivation is love– Christ’s love for me. The love for my eternal soul that made necessary His hideous death on the cross as payment for my sin. The love and mercy and grace that provided the indwelling of the Holy Spirit so I would never be alone. The great and gracious and marvelous love!
I want to be an imitator of God. I want to spend the time learning who Jesus. I am so grateful to be a “beloved child.”
Plea for Grace 