“Be Imitators of God”

BIBLE READING: Ephesians 5

Children generally resemble their parents.  There is often an uncanny family likeness which prompts even the most casual observer to exclaim, "The very image of his father."  Is there something in each of us that would make others think of God?

The “old man” stands for the collection of habits, sayings, and doings that characterized out unregenerate days.  The apostle says those days are to be put away suddenly, instantly.  Evidently this is possible, or such a command would not be issued.  Men speak of a gradual reformation and advise a partial turning from evil.  God, on the contrary, bids us to treat the evil past as a company of soldiers, bandits and outlaws.  There is a greater reason for this as the old man becomes corrupt.  Even Martha could not bear the opening of Lazarus' tomb.  He had been dead four days and the odor of corrupt flesh would most certainly have been present.

The word "imitate" is from the Greek word from which is derived “mimic”. Though this term is often used in a ridiculous sense, here it is understood in a very solemn and proper sense.  Our whole conduct should be like that of the Lord.  We should imitate Him in all our actions, words, spirit, and inclinations.  Imitate Him as children do their parents.  Remember that we stand in the relation of beloved children to Him. It is natural for children to imitate their parents.  They constantly aim to learn from them and copy them in everything.  Whatever they see the parent do, whatever they hear spoken, they will endeavor to copy and imitate.  They will even go farther to insensibly copy the very tempers of their parents. If we are children of God, show this love to your Him, and imitate all his moral perfections and acquire the mind that was in Jesus.