Imitating God: A Call to Live Out Discipleship
In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, discipleship often gets lost in the noise. The call to follow Jesus, to be His disciple, goes beyond mere knowledge—it is rooted in the truth of the gospel and beckons us to emulate Him in every aspect of our lives. Ephesians 5:1-20 succinctly captures this call to action, urging us to "imitate God.”
In the days of Jesus, a Rabbi was more than just a teacher; they were guides, leading their disciples not just to understand God's word but to live it out. Discipleship meant more than accumulating knowledge; it meant covering oneself in the dust of the Rabbi's feet, symbolizing a commitment to walking in the same path. As modern-day disciples, our journey involves not just knowing about God but actively living out His commands.
Love as the Ultimate Imitation of God
Paul unfolds three key aspects that mark our relationship with the world, the first being to live a life filled with love for God and others. Love, as Paul defines it, is sacrificial—a concept demonstrated in its purest form by Jesus on the cross. In a culture that often distorts love as self-centered, Paul's reminder aligns us with the sacrificial nature of God's love.
The world urges self-love, promoting a mindset that prioritizes personal happiness. However, the Gospel challenges this narrative, emphasizing that true love requires sacrifice. When we prioritize self-indulgence, we drift into behaviors that fall outside God's design, such as sexual immorality, greed, and inappropriate speech.
Shining Light in the Darkness
The second mark of imitating God is living a life filled with light. The analogy of walking in darkness without a source of light vividly illustrates our role as disciples. In a world groping for direction, our commitment to walking in God's paths becomes a guiding light. We become beacons of hope, exposing the foolishness of a life lived in darkness.
Choosing to imitate God doesn't guarantee an easy journey, but it does promise to illuminate the path and reveal a better way. In imitating God, we not only see the world differently but also become a source of light for others still searching in the dark.
The Wisdom of Discipleship
The third and final mark is living a life filled with wisdom. Discipleship involves discernment, filtering worldly ideologies through the lens of God's truth. The fear of the Lord, as the foundation of wisdom, reminds us to evaluate cultural messages against God's standards.
The enemy, crafty and subtle, entices us with gradual compromises until we find ourselves adrift. Making choices aligned with God's wisdom requires thoughtful consideration, ensuring our actions draw us closer to Jesus rather than leading us away.
Choosing the Path of Jesus
We must make a choice, attempting to straddle the line between the ways of the world and the path of Jesus is unsustainable. As you reflect on these truths, consider what you may need to confess; what burdens do you need to lay at Jesus' feet, and are you spiritually awake or just going through the motions?
Imitating God is a transformative journey—one that involves sacrificial love, shining light in darkness, and pursuing wisdom. As disciples, our lives become a testimony, inviting others to join in the pursuit of an abundant life in Christ.