The Means of His grace helping us to find our participation in His work of Redemption
Walk as children of light.
Ephesians 5
Ex Libris Alexus Minimus
A commentary from the pastor’s library
In this fifth chapter we have a magnificent expression of what it means to live a life of godliness. And it begins in verse 1 with a very important admonition: Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children. One of the all-time best selling books ever produced in the history of the Christian church, written by St Thomas a Kempis, was entitled, The Imitation of Christ.
In the New Testament Christ is described as the express image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:15). He is the brightness of the glory of God (Hebrews 1:3). In the person of Jesus and in the life that he lived, we see what our humanity is to be like. Again, we go back to creation and we see that man is made in the image and in the likeness of God (Genesis 1:26, 27), not in the sense that God has a body, but in terms of our nature. We are called to be living images that reflect and communicate the character of God himself. Elsewhere God commands this of his people: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’ (Leviticus 11:44–45; 19:2; 20:7; 1 Peter 1:16). That is, our lives are to imitate, to copy, the character of God.
An imitation is a copy based upon an authentic original. The authentic fountainhead, the original source of righteousness is God himself, and God’s people are called to bear witness to the original and to the authentic.
It is interesting that Paul conjoins the idea of imitation with the link that we have to God as his children. Remember that the apostle, in this letter, has spelled out in detail the glorious inheritance that is the Christian’s, of having been adopted into the family of God. As the sons and daughters of God, we are to reflect the character of our parent, our heavenly Father.
Sproul, R. C. (1994). The Purpose of God: Ephesians (pp. 120–121). Christian Focus Publications.
TO SEE.
Knowing the Person & Work of the Triune God of the Universe.
Because of Him, we have gone from disobedience, darkness, and lack of wisdom to have the desire and ability to walk as children of His light, imitating Him. What does this redemptive transformation say about His Person and Work?
TO ENJOY.
Motivation and support to imitate His humanity through the service to others.
How can your service to others (“… be imitators of God, as beloved children.”) demonstrate your fellowship with everything that is good and right and true? What makes such a fellowship hard to maintain?
TO SHARE.
Telling others about His work in your life.
What are the particulars of your journey from disobedience, darkness, and lack of wisdom to His family? Ask the Triune God for opportunities to share those details with others.
