BE IMITATORS. Ephesians 5:1-7 Ephesians chapter four provides guidance on our relationship with God and fellow believers. Chapter five shows how a child of God can imitate God in their relationship with the world. God's love for the world should be reflected in the walk and life of those He has loved and forgiven. Our lives should mirror and demonstrate the love and life of Jesus. He offered Himself as a sincere and perfect sacrifice to God. Having a forgiving spirit [4:32] is a way to imitate God. A sacrificial love [5:2] is a way to imitate our Lord Jesus Christ.
The first two verses of this chapter serve as a conclusion to the previous ones and create a contrast with the subsequent verses. God's people are called to remember who they are and why their walk before the world is significant. In a "walk worthy of our calling" as sons and daughters of God, we have certain features that identify us. There are also habits and behaviors around us that are common to those who are not saved, which should never be done, spoken about, or even thought of inwardly.
Because God has forgiven our sins for Christ's sake, there should be clear evidence of our appreciation that cannot be hidden. A follower of God is someone who imitates Him. That person wants to be like God because they love Him. God is love, so those who imitate Him should also walk in love. Love starts as a feeling of appreciation, gratitude, and value of others within us. Then, it shows itself practically through actions and attitudes. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." His inward love expressed itself in the highest possible way that is visible and knowable. This has brought blessings beyond description to millions of people. God's goal for us is to walk in love. Spiritual, holy, and sacrificial love for others in the world is the true "walk” of those who believe in and love the Lord Jesus Christ.
Someone who imitates another often closely observes and then copies their actions. A young child may walk the same way as their parents, do the same things as their parents, and even speak and use the same words. Dialects in speech develop when one imitates older individuals. Public greetings, whether it be shaking hands, a courteous bow, two hands clasped, or an "embrazzo," are usually learned by copying those who are older or who lead us. As children of light, we should imitate God because God is light and love.
Light doesn't refer to the contrast between it and darkness, but in the context of this chapter, it symbolizes moral light contrasted with moral depravity. Because God is also truth, the teaching here includes the idea that God intends us to "walk circumspectly"—to walk in wisdom one step at a time. This teaching starts with the command to be "followers of God as dear children." In other words, be imitators of God, just as children imitate their earthly parents.
Being a child of His gives us a sense of dignity and humbles us. We have moved from being strangers and aliens to God and His grace, to becoming adult children in God's family. Even more meaningful than being children is that we are called "dear children" or beloved children. God has shown His love for us as objects of His affection. This was demonstrated when Christ gave Himself as a sacrifice for us. That sweet-smelling offering pleased God. No wonder we are called to walk in love with God and toward others.
Walking in God’s love and His standards of righteousness might seem impossible and unattainable at first glance. However, when we remember the first three chapters of this epistle and reflect on what we have in Christ, we bow in gratitude and reverence before our God. We pray that the truth of who we are in Christ may firmly take hold of our souls, enabling us to sincerely love others in Christ’s name.
The noble walk of a Christian also involves walking as children of light. Light in the midst of darkness cannot be ignored by those hiding in the dark. Some hide because they know their actions are wrong and don't want to be exposed. Others, like creatures accustomed only to darkness, feel uncomfortable in the light and do not know how to respond when it shines on them. Christians should not even use the words associated with the perversion of love that is merely lust, despite how people define the word “love.”
Any and all sexual sins are considered “fornication,” and “uncleanness” refers to the impurity that results from these sins and characterizes unbelievers who engage in such acts. “Covetousness” is the desire for another person’s body for the self-gratification of sinful flesh. Such greed is encouraged in many ways, from advertising to examples in this self-centered, materialistic world. In this context, any form of immorality is called "fornication"; any indecent or covetous desire that occupies one's mind should not even be mentioned. Saints are people set apart for God to imitate Him. Believers should never do these things and should never even joke about impurity or use suggestive words. Filthy language and empty conversations that lead to foolish laughter are never acceptable.
We need to thank God for what we do and listen to. Immoral people have no place in God's kingdom, and many will only ever form their impressions of God from those who are to be imitators of Him. The issue that causes some believers to give others a false understanding of God is that they have a wrong inward concept of Him. We should never have a lenient attitude toward sin and should never allow ourselves to listen to or act in any way that is beneath our dignity as God's people.
Adultery, fornication, homosexuality, and all other kinds of sin that feed off such things are forbidden in the scriptures. We need to commit ourselves to being imitators of God no matter what others may do or say. Even the changes in the law that condone what God forbids should not change our attitude toward the unchangeable word of God. A casual attitude toward sex, an acceptance of suggestive language in our speech, and a sense of identity by laughing at dirty jokes and gutter talk are all wrong for a child of God.
Talking about shameful, coarse, immoral, and foolish things is just as wrong as desiring them. Some words are used with double meanings, innuendo, or suggestive tones and might seem funny without explicitly mentioning immoral acts or evil practices. This is incorrect. We should avoid engaging in anything that is inappropriate for a Christian to speak about or listen to. Believers should center their thoughts on what God has made us through Christ as a new creation, and on the scriptures, which teach us that eternal things matter more than temporary things.
We are solemnly warned against ungodly behavior because it not only pollutes our minds but also opens the way to act on the fantasies that are suggested. We are to walk worthy of our calling, to walk in love toward God and others, and to walk as children of light. As such, we will not participate in any of these forbidden things, nor will we be guilty of promoting them just by listening to those things that are immoral in nature. We are here in this world as "followers of God."
Believers should not participate at all in the lifestyle of those who habitually practice sin. We must not allow ourselves to be influenced by people who are far from God and unwilling to do His will. Those who prefer sin over fellowship with God will not be part of His kingdom nor have any claim on God or His promises. Some people deceive themselves and others by claiming that God is love and will not deny them access to heaven if there is such a place. These are vain, empty, and deceitful words used to justify their obvious guilt. Changing words and their meanings doesn’t change God or His Word.
God is love, and He is simply carrying out His actions of love. He will not force people who do not want to have anything to do with Him to believe in Him. His just wrath is upon those who disobey His standards of righteous living and His infallible word. To choose to follow enemies of God in this life means a person will follow them after they die. In love, God does not demand us to believe and love Him. Those who want to go their own way and have nothing to do with God will face the consequences of their choices.
Giving thanks is a characteristic of a believer in Christ's body. Giving thanks may not necessarily be for everything but in everything. It is foreign to our new nature to be inclined to complain about almost everything. Praise and thankfulness to God for salvation are what we need to focus on in order to live a victorious life. Let us do just that in every part of our lives. Then perhaps we too will be a sweet aroma to others as to what life is supposed to be like.
A child wants to be close to the one he loves. If possible, he desires to do what the one he loves does. It's common to see a small child walking with the same gait, swagger, or arm swinging as the loved one. He wants to go where the loved one goes and will confidently follow their steps. It's very important that we do the same with our God. I want to be as close to where God is as I can be, and doing what He does is where I want to be and what I want to do.
I want to follow Him to where He meets with His people. I want to follow Him to where He saves souls. I want to follow Him to where He draws near to the needy. I want to follow Him to those hidden places where God shows up unexpectedly to those who feel disenfranchised. I want to be there to see the light in the eyes of those who are aware of God's presence. I want to feel the heat of the fire when God shows up.
But I see there are some essential qualifications that come with such close fellowship. “Walk in love” doesn’t seem intimidating until I read the next words, “As Christ also hath loved us.” That will mean… I will touch the leper; I will eat with the outcasts. I will go the extra mile; I will give away my favorite coat. I will pray in the dark of the night; I will go without sleep sometimes. I will get up early to talk to the Father. I will make room for interrupting people. I will listen and talk with children; I will cry with the bereaved; I will find joy in the well-being of others; I will have compassion on the lost; I will go to the next town. I will sit and listen to the talk of self-important people without interrupting them; I will keep my mouth shut when false accusations come at me; I will not talk back when I am reviled; I will not threaten others when they cause me to suffer; I will love the unlovable, even my enemies; I will assume responsibility for the wrongs of others; I will die for them if the need arises. I will commit everything in and of my life to my heavenly Father without reservation.
O my soul, am I willing to do this? Is this asking too much? Is this all beyond me? Do I have to go so far in order to walk in love? Can I honestly say, “I am willing,” to be a sweet-smelling savor?