Ephesians 5:1

Ephesians 5:1

It only makes sense that we should follow after the One who has done everything for us; that we should seek to do the things that He did, love the way He loves, and speak the way He speaks.

The Greek word here for “Imitators” is the word, mimetes.It means “to follow or mimic someone’s actions,” but this means much more than doing what someone else does. Jesus said in John 5:19-20, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does.”You see it goes much farther that just copying someone’s movements, just mimicking them as they move their arms or legs and say, “Look I’m just like them!”

No, this kind of “imitation” is only accomplished through a relationship with the one we are following. “As dear children,” imitate your Father, Paul tells us. Kids always take on the characteristics of their parents, the good and bad. It’s just what happens as you are around someone a lot. As we abide with Jesus, spending time with Him, enjoying our relationship with Him, we begin to take on His characteristics. Then we will truly mimic God, not just in our outward actions here and there, but with a changed life, from a changed heart within.

Pastor Doug Hardin