Imitating God: A Life Transformed by Truth"
Introduction:
Today we are diving deep into a powerful truth from God’s Word—a call that challenges us to a higher standard of living. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, gives us a command that is both simple and profound: "Imitate God." Let that sink in for a moment. We are called to be like our Creator. Not in power, not in sovereignty, but in character, in love, in holiness.
Lets explore what it means to imitate God by walking in love, holiness, and light. We will examine how the Gospel empowers us to live this way, and how imitating God can transform every aspect of our lives. Our main text is Ephesians 5:1, and we will unpack this truth together.
1. Imitating God Means Walking in Love
Let’s start by looking at Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT):
"Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God."
Paul begins by reminding us that we are God’s dear children. The word used here for “imitate” is the Greek word mimetes, which means to copy or emulate. Just as children naturally imitate their parents, we as God’s children are called to imitate Him. But what does this imitation look like? Paul says it’s rooted in love.
Jesus Christ is our perfect example of what it means to walk in love. The sacrificial love of Jesus is described as a “pleasing aroma to God.” This is a reference to the Old Testament sacrificial system, where the burning of offerings was seen as a sweet-smelling aroma to the Lord. But Christ’s sacrifice goes far beyond ritual; it was a demonstration of His love for us.
The Greek word for love here is agape—unconditional, selfless love. This is the kind of love we are called to walk in. It’s not based on feelings but on a decision to put others before ourselves, just as Jesus did.
1 John 4:19 (NLT): “We love each other because he loved us first.”
How can we imitate God by walking in love? It begins by recognising how deeply we are loved by God. When we grasp the magnitude of Christ’s sacrifice, we are compelled to love others in the same way. This means loving not just those who love us back, but those who are difficult to love. It means choosing to forgive, to serve, and to put others’ needs before our own.
Think about a parent teaching their child to walk. The child stumbles, but the parent holds their hand, guides them, and patiently encourages them to keep going. In the same way, God calls us to walk in love, and He’s there to guide us every step of the way, helping us to love like He does.
Tim Keller once said, “To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God.”
2. Imitating God Means Living a Life of Holiness
Next, let’s look at Ephesians 5:3-5 (NLT):
"Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God."
Imitating God doesn’t just mean walking in love—it also means living in holiness. Paul gives us a clear instruction here: as God’s people, there should be no room for immorality, impurity, or greed in our lives. The Greek word for “sexual immorality” is porneia, which refers to any kind of sexual activity outside of God’s design for marriage. Paul also warns against impure thoughts and behaviours, as well as greed, which is the insatiable desire for more.
These behaviours are not fitting for the people of God, because they are contrary to His character. God is holy, and to imitate Him means to live lives that reflect His holiness.
1 Peter 1:16 (NLT): “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must be holy because I am holy.’”
Exegesis: The word “holy” in both Hebrew (qadosh) and Greek (hagios) means “set apart.” To be holy is to be different, distinct from the world, set apart for God’s purposes. We are not called to blend in with the culture around us; we are called to stand out by living according to God’s standards.
This isn’t about living a life of perfection—it’s about living a life of devotion to God. Holiness is not something we can achieve in our own strength. It is the work of the Holy Spirit in us, transforming us to be more like Christ. So, we must ask ourselves: Are we allowing the Spirit to cleanse us, or are we holding on to sinful habits? Imitating God means rejecting the ways of the world and embracing the purity and holiness that comes from a life surrendered to Christ.
Consider a diamond that has been carefully cut and polished. The more it is refined, the more it shines and reflects the light. In the same way, as we allow God to refine us, we reflect His light and character to the world.
John Piper reminds us, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
3. Imitating God Means Walking in the Light
Finally, let’s read Ephesians 5:8-9 (NLT):
"For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true."
Before we knew Christ, we were in spiritual darkness. But now, because of the Gospel, we have been brought into the light. The word phos in Greek, meaning light, represents knowledge, purity, and truth. Paul is calling us to live as people who have been transformed by the light of Christ.
Matthew 5:14 (NLT): “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.”
When we live as people of the light, we reflect the goodness, righteousness, and truth of God. This is what it means to be a witness in the world: to live in such a way that others can see Christ through us.
The light of Christ not only exposes sin, but it also brings healing and transformation. In the Old Testament, light was often a symbol of God’s presence. Just as the pillar of fire guided the Israelites in the wilderness, God’s light guides us today, showing us how to walk in His ways.
Are we walking in the light of Christ, or are we still dabbling in the shadows of sin? Imitating God means allowing His light to shine in every area of our lives, exposing anything that is not of Him. And as we walk in the light, we become a beacon of hope to those around us, pointing them to the source of all light—Jesus Christ.
Imagine walking through a dark forest with only a small flashlight to guide you. The more batteries you add, the brighter the light becomes, making your path clear. In the same way, the more we allow the light of Christ to fill our lives, the clearer our path becomes, and the more others are drawn to that light.
C.S. Lewis said, “Don’t shine so others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him.”
Conclusion: Imitating God Transforms Everything
Church, the call to imitate God is not an impossible one. It is a call that comes with the promise of the Holy Spirit’s power and the assurance of God’s grace. When we walk in love, live in holiness, and shine as lights in the darkness, we are living out our true identity as God’s children.
Call to Action: Live a Life Transformed by Truth
So today, let’s commit to living lives that truly imitate God. Let’s walk in love, extending grace and kindness to others. Let’s live in holiness, rejecting the ways of the world and embracing the purity that comes from Christ. And let’s shine as lights in the darkness, reflecting the truth and goodness of God to a world that desperately needs Him.
Let us pray and ask the Lord to help us live this out daily, trusting that as we do, we will see His transformative power at work in our lives and in the lives of those around us.
