Read Ephesians 5:1-7

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.” (Ephesians 5:1)

The Apostle Paul sets forth two powerful commands for the church in this succinct verse. The first command is to be something, and the second command is to be as something.

First, we are to be imitators of God. An imitator should not be depreciated to mean being a robot or a copycat. Paul is not calling the Christian to become lifeless as someone who merely mimics another like some annoying game. The whole idea of becoming an imitator means that you have come to share the same character and the same qualities of another. In other words, an imitator is a student, a disciple or a follower that desires to be like his teacher*.*

“It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. …” (Matthew 10:25)

In this sense, Paul is calling the people of God to adopt the character and qualities of God. God is love, therefore, the Christian must have the character of love. God is holy, therefore, the Christian should desire the characteristics of holiness.

But does this not all seem like an overwhelming task? — especially when the subject of our imitation is the Almighty God? How could we ever expect achieve such a great labor?

The answer is not found within ourselves, but within the mighty working of God's power, which Paul has already promised is given to the Christian. Paul has declared through prayer that we would know —  

“what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places…” (Ephesians 1:19–20)

Christian! — God has already empowered you to be like Him. All you must do is come to know it by faith. How do know it by faith? Paul answers that question too:

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

The might working of God’s power in us to empower us to be like Him comes from understanding God’s Word deeper and deeper still. The more you crack open the Word of Life, the more your faith in God will grow; and the more your faith grows, the more you will imitate God through the working of His mighty power.

“Study to show yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

The second command of Paul in this verse is built on the first. We are not just to be, but we are also to be as. That is — we are called to live this life of faith, empowered by God to imitate Him, "as dear children."

Oh! — how quickly we adults complicate and muddle the act of imitating! But a child simply imitates without thought or premeditation. A child is always looking to become what they admire in others, and they do it effortlessly and without worry, because they are still finding their identity.

Beloved, if we truly want to become imitators of God, we must capture the heart of a child, abandon our self-identity, and humbly run to God and His Word to be like Him (see Galatians 2:20).

It is no wonder that of such are the kingdom of God!

“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.” (Matthew 18:3–5)

Therefore, dear church, be imitators of God as dear children!