Good Imitation
Innovation is often valued above imitation, but the truth is that we are born imitators. We learn by imitating, it’s not a bad thing, but who we imitate makes all the difference. There are endless examples of who we could imitate, and all of them set a poor example some time or another. Only One person is perfect. Imitating Jesus is God’s plan for every one of us.
Scripture
Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Bible Study Questions
Inspired by the love of the Spirit and the Son
The previous chapter ended with a series of instructions and encouragement not to behave like we did before we came to know Jesus and were saved by His grace. How should our relationship with the Holy Spirit influence our relationships with each other, and how should our relationship with Jesus direct us to treat each other?
Ephesians 4:30-32 ESV And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Be Mimes, but be more
The word imitators has the same root from which we get the words mimic and mime. A mime acts out someone else’s actions in order to communicate a message. How did Jesus model this and how are we to imitate god?
Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV Therefore be imitators of God,
John 5:19-20 ESV So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.
James 1:22 ESV But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Like Father like Son, like God like child
We all imitate someone, but all the more when we are dearly loved by that person. How does the Father love the Son, and how do we know He loves us the same way?
Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
Luke 3:21-22 ESV Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
John 17:22-23 ESV The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
The long hard walk
What kind of walk did Jesus walk? How can we see His selflessness most vividly displayed in the Gospels?
Luke 22:31-32 ESV “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Luke 22:42-44 ESV saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
The Power to walk and keep walking
Jesus walked in love to the degree that He gave Himself, willingly and completely to God for us. How did He manage to do this, and what is the hope that we can walk like He did?
Ephesians 5:2 ESV And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us,
Luke 4:1 ESV And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness
Luke 4:14-15 ESV And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
Acts 2:38-39 ESV And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
The Character of the walk
Walking like Jesus is rooted in knowledge and trust of the Father’s love for us, and then expressed in gratitude by the power of the Holy Spirit. How can we see this principle in the fruit of the Holy Spirit?
Galatians 5:22-24 ESV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
The walk that ends in victory
Walking like Jesus is hard, but worth it. What has Jesus walk resulted in for Him and what does God promise those who walk like Jesus walked?
Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Philippians 2:5-9 ESV Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
Hebrews 11:6 ESV And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
John 12:26 ESV If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.