Who are you Imitating?

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children."

Ephesians 5:1

I always love when the Bible uses the the word 'therefore' because that means we just got some good information and now we are going to be told the godly practical action that we need to take.  The 'therefore' in this situation is the new life we have been given in Christ.  The section of the previous chapter just before this verse explains the call that we have after being given a new life of salvation in Jesus.  Just before the scripture above we are told a certain way we should walk in our new life which includes walking in love and 'putting away' certain ungodly actions such as slander, malice, bitterness, and anger.  But, the most beautiful wrap up of how we should walk in our new lives in Christ is packed in this one simple verse above.  We are all called to be "imitators of God".  What does that mean, to be an "imitator of God"?  An imitator is a person who copies the actions of or behavior of another.  We are good imitators when we copy the behaviors of another.  This includes the way they think, speak, act with others, the things they do, how they interact in different situations, everything.  We are to be imitators of God.  Jesus is the perfect model to be imitated, but it can be difficult to concretely do this and know what that means.  This is exactly why we need good godly mentors in our lives.  This is the essence of discipleship.  Mentoring and discipling is not only teaching how someone ought to live, it is inviting them into your life to walk side by side with you.  This is how Jesus called His disciples to live, side by side with the One they were to imitate.  This is exactly how we are called to live as well.  Who in your life can you see Christ in?  When you think of a godly man or woman in your life, who is it that pops into mind?  We are to be imitators of these people.  Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:1, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ".  We should be walking with these people in life, inviting them in to our lives.  And in certain cases being bold and putting ourselves out there, and invite ourselves into their lives!  Being an imitator of God is a fundamental practice of our faith, and we can walk this out when we walk with others that we see God in.  Who are you imitating?  Are they imitating God?  Are you being mentored by someone whose faith you want to mimic and be like?  Today, evaluate who is close to you in your life.  Evaluate who you are imitating.  Pray and as the Lord to guide you to the right people in your life so that you may be an imitator of Jesus.  Love you all!  Praying for you and yours!  Have a blessed day, it's your choice!