Dear Church,

Paul writes, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Be imitators of God.  In our context imitation means something not real, like imitation diamond or imitation crab. This is not what Paul meant, he wanted us to follow God in his characteristics as his beloved children.  Live like him, act like Him, talk like Him, treat others like Him, love like Him.  In all these, ‘Love like Him’ should be the essential attribute. ‘Walk in love’ the Apostle reminds us as Christ loved us and gave himself for us – that is the ultimate standard of love we are to keep. 

Now, this is a lofty standard to keep, we are pulled in every direction by the pressures of living in a broken world.  In our own strength this ‘walk in love’ becomes impossible.  But we also know that, as God’s children, God has gifted us the Holy Spirit to live and love like Him. Outside our abiding in Christ through the counsel of the Holy Spirit imitating God is not possible. Outside God, our flesh, wants us to be spectators, agitators or instigators.  If you have been one of these, my prayer this morning is that you will surrender your lives before Him and learn to imitate God through the counsel of the Holy Spirit.

Be Encouraged,

Mathews