“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” (Ephesians 5:1-2 NASB)
The title today is reflected in our reference to Ephesians 5:1, both in the New American Standard above and The Message Bible below. When you read these Scriptures, it is pretty self-explanatory what I am asking you to do.
Oh I know you have a “best” imitation; one where you imitate the preacher, the popular singer or talker…er I mean popular rapper. I know somewhere in your old closet or your new closet, you have or had some imitation attire, the best that money, a little money, can buy. And perhaps you are a non-dancer like me, but you can give the best imitation in the world, having all the moves when you are sitting in the driver’s seat of your car at the stoplight. For fun you did the best imitations of the unforgettable TV characters of the past; the walk of the character that was moving on up and the character that said those two words we will never forget, “I know! And not to leave out more contemporary actors, many of have greeted people using a phrase of a celebrated Black actor, “My man!” Now to be fair, my best imitation of a celebrity walk is the one of a famous theatrical cowboy character; referring to the one that called people “Pilgrim,” but that is because age impacts how I strut down the hall first thing in the morning. My best voice imitation is of “The Godfather,” but that’s because I have strained voice frequently lately, from preaching, teaching, and my wife would add, “And continuing to talk after I have said goodnight.”
All of us know something about imitating and imitations, but I am asking you to just follow the admonition of the Apostle Paul today and imitate the loving behavior of God today, but let me add I am asking you to do it today better that you did yesterday or even on what you would rate your best of days, back in the past. Read the verses again! Reach to heaven for help! React! Really do will in being an imitator of God, walking in love. Be blessed!
“Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.” (Ephesians 5:1 The Message Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King