DISCIPLESHIP SERIES
GOD’S IMITATORS-by Rev Akpan
“BE imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children” (Ephesians 5:1).
The Apostle Paul gave the above admonition to the Ephesus Christians, which by extension applies to all Christians. He says that Christians ought to be God’s imitators. This is because as God’s children, what qualifies us as such is that we have His gene in us, and so should naturally exhibit His mature. Anything contrary is an aberration.
In what way are we to imitate God therefore?
Paul answers that in the preceding verse. He says we are to do that basically by living a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
The fundamental way of imitating God is living a love life. Love is the fulfilment of the law (Romans 13:8). Once love is in place, all other attributes of God will will easily be exhibited by us. Love will cause us to be compassionate; will cause us to be patient; tolerant; forgiving. Love is what motivates us to be sacrificial whenever necessary. Love fuels our faith in God (Galatians 5:6). Love is what constrains us to endure and not give up in the face of adversity.
You’ll agree with me that the just mentioned attributes are all found in God. But ironically, most Christians lack some of these attributes, yet they claim to be God’s children. We must imitate God by loving which is His basic. And must necessarily be ours too as His children. God is love, the Bible tells us, he that loves is born of God and knows Him. He that loves not does not know Him (
1 John 4:7-8). That’s a bitter truth.
Love is what commonly identifies us with God. Please understand that Love is practical, not an abstract. People don’t care to know how much we know, but they want to know how much we care. With love in place, fulfilling all of God’s laws will be done effortlessly, devoid of struggle.
Beloved, let’s heed this important admonition from the Apostle Paul. Let’s imitate God – living in love. Its true that it is costly to so do, ain’t not denying the fact. But it’s a command we must obey as “dearly loved children of God” We have no choice, but to take after our Heavenly Father. That’s what people are looking out to see in us. In any case, it’s far more easier to attract people to Him by loving them practically than preaching to them.
Be blessed.
Maranatha!
Rev A Akpan is the Founder of Faith Activation Ministry, based in Lagos, Nigeria. His Ministry is in partnership with the Ministry Of the Word (MOW).