Children can be great mimics. They see the adults around them and gradually pick up their habits, their quirks of behaviour, even sometimes the way they speak. It can be amusing to watch – less so if you are the one being imitated. We might see some things about ourselves that we would prefer not to see. Since we are all imperfect, we would not want anyone to imitate us too consistently. It is very different, however, in the Christian life. We consider now Ephesians 5:1-14 Imitators of God.
1. The motive of love
In v1 we have an amazing command: ‘Be imitators of God’. A staggering demand is being made of Christians – here in this world we are to show what God is like. We are to behave like ‘dearly loved children. The family likeness is to be seen in us. The likeness of our Father is to be reproduced in us, a process empowered by the Holy Spirit. The image that was marred by the fall is being restored in the Christian. We are changed from enemies of God into imitators. We are called to reproduce the holiness of God in practical everyday living. Note – ‘live a life of love’ (v2) – that is our motive for imitation. Love produces the kind of life that meets the standards of God’s law. Our love for God and for others is fundamentally a response to his love for us. As a result of his love, we are ‘called children of God’ (1 John 3:1). In particular, in regard to redemption, Christ in love has given himself up for us (v2), and we are to imitate his self-giving love, seeking what is best for others.
2. The seriousness of sin
There is to be a determined clean sweep of our lives: ‘there must not be even a hint of…’ (v3). There is no ‘acceptable level’ of sin in a Christian. We must be ruthless in response to sin. Purity is required in word and action (v3-4). Sexual purity is a key area where Christian standards and those of Christians differ radically. With the Lord’s strength, we must ‘not be conformed to this world’ (Romans 12:2). We are to live differently and so set an example especially to young believers who may be under great peer pressure to conform to the world. We dare not dabble in filth – it is ‘improper for God’s holy people’. No person who lives a life of sin ‘has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God’. We have a solemn warning regarding the nature of sin (v5-6). Note ‘such a man is an idolator’ – he makes worldly pleasure his god. Exclusion from the kingdom entails ‘God’s wrath’ (v6). As a consequence, we have the warning of v7 ‘do not be partners with them’.
3. The power of light
We have a reminder of the transformation that has taken place: ‘you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord’ (v8). To live in obedience is ‘to walk as children of light, characterised by ‘all goodness, righteousness and truth’ (v9). We will progressively ‘find out what pleases the Lord (v10). There must be separation from ‘the fruitless deeds of darkness’ (v11), and more – ‘rather expose them’. That requires wisdom and discretion so that we do not publicise sin and give it an air of attractiveness, yet we cannot be silent. We seek to show people the true nature of sin, so that they may be awakened from sleep by the grace of God.