What Does It Mean to Imitate God?

Preparing for the Fourth Sunday in Lent: Two Days before Sunday (Year A)

Scripture

Psalter: Psalm 23

Old Testament: 1 Samuel 15:22-31

Epistle: Ephesians 5:1-9

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Prayer

God of the covenant, in the glory of the cross your Son embraced the power of death and broke its hold over your people. In this time of repentance, draw all people to yourself, that we who confess Jesus as Lord may put aside the deeds of death and accept the life of your kingdom. Amen.

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Reflection

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:1-2).

This short phrase in Ephesians 5:1 carries deep theological significance and challenges us to consider what it means to live as followers of Jesus Christ.

To fully understand Paul’s command to imitate God, we must first reflect upon who God is and what it means to be made in God’s image. Genesis 1:27 states, “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” As image-bearers of God, we reflect something of the divine character and nature. This does not mean that we are divine or equal to God, but rather that we have been created to reflect God’s glory in our lives.

Therefore, to be imitators of God means that we strive to reflect the divine character in our words, actions, and attitudes. But what does God’s character look like, and how can we imitate it?

In Scripture we read that God is loving, compassionate, merciful, just, holy, and faithful, among many other attributes. As we seek to imitate God, we seek to embody these same characteristics in our own lives. This means showing love and compassion to those around us, seeking justice and righteousness, and living lives of integrity and faithfulness.

In the remainder of chapter 5 Paul goes on to give specific examples of what it means to imitate God. He says, “Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2). Christ’s sacrificial love for us is the ultimate example of God’s love for humanity, and we are called to follow His example by loving others sacrificially. Charles Marsh writes, “Dramatic change will always require dramatic sacrifice. Dramatic blessings have dramatic costs.” The blessing of receiving Christ necessitates the sacrifice of a life transformed after the character of God.

Paul also urges the Ephesians to live in the light and avoid the works of darkness. He writes, “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8-10). As imitators of God, we are called to reject sin and pursue righteousness, walking in the light and shining as beacons of God’s truth and goodness in a dark world.

In addition to these specific commands, Paul also emphasizes the importance of unity in the body of Christ. “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). Forgiveness and kindness are essential to maintaining the unity of the church, and as imitators of God, we should strive to be peacemakers and reconcilers in our relationships with others.

But why does Paul emphasize the importance of imitating God? The answer lies in the purpose for which we were created. Ephesians 2:10 states, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” We were created to glorify God and to do good works that reflect the divine character and love to the world

PRAYER: Artist of souls, you sculpted a people for yourself out of the rocks of wilderness and fasting. Help us as we take up your invitation to prayer and simplicity, that the discipline of these forty days may sharpen our hunger for the feast of your holy friendship, and whet our thirst for the living water you offer through Jesus Christ. Amen.

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