Imitators of God Ephesians 5:1-20

Six ways to imitate God in our lives. We must forgive like God. We can’t have a limit on how we forgive. Jesus said 70 x 7 Or who we forgive “Forgive us our sins as we also have forgiven those who sin against us.”—Matthew 6:12 If you don’t forgive men their sins, God will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15 No passage of time leads to automatic forgiveness either.

Six ways to imitate God in our lives. We must forgive like God. We must have a spirit of forgiveness like Joseph. We must seek forgiveness out of Godly sorrow. II Corinthians 7:10 God can forgive our guilt. “I acknowledged my sin to Thee, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”; And thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin.”—Psalm 32:5

Six ways to imitate God in our lives. We must love like God. God loves all people. We must be willing to love all people. With no prejudice With no self-righteousness Not like spoiled children who look down on others, but as dearly loved children. Like dearly loved children

Six ways to imitate God in our lives. We must love like God. It is a committed love that continues God’s love never changes (that doesn’t mean that He won’t judge unrepentant sin). He is first and foremost a righteous and just God. He keeps His promises. We must maintain a Christlike love at all times. And a Christlike love is a sacrificial love.

Six ways to imitate God in our lives. We must sacrifice like Christ. Christ sacrificed it all! A home in heaven, to live on earth. His pride to endure the insults of man. His heart to endure the rejection of His creation. His life for our forgiveness. He bore the penalty for our sins.

“For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son—both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die.” Ezekiel 18:4

“The soul who sins is the one who will die “The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him.” Ezekiel 18:20

“whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:25-26

Six ways to imitate God in our lives. How much are we willing to sacrifice for the church? If you love the church how much are you willing to sacrifice for the church? I don’t mean this building. Are you willing to be here more than anywhere else on the first day of the week? Are you willing to be an active participant in our ministries and not just a spectator and make them successful? Are you willing to meet the needs of our youth? Are you willing to meet the needs of our elderly? Are you willing to meet the needs of our new converts? Are you willing to meet the needs of our young families?

Six ways to imitate God in our lives. We must strive for purity/obedience How do we imitate a God that we cannot see? We see Him in the person of Christ in the scriptures. We live according to His Spirit, which is holy and pure. There is not to be a hint of sexual immorality or any impurity or greed found in us. immoral—porneia or pornos—any type of sexual immorality impure—any type of immoral conduct

“If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” —unknown

Six ways to imitate God in our lives. We must strive to be children of light. Before we became Christians we were children of darkness. That word darkness means leaving the path of morality for immorality. Light represents good. Darkness represents bad/evil.

“If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.” I John 1:6

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” I Peter 2:9

“Your life as a Christian should make nonbelievers question their disbelief in God.” —unknown

Six ways to imitate God in our lives. We must live with wisdom The wisdom spoken about here is not talking about insight into God’s workings, but is in reference to our conduct/or how we live.

“Knowing when to walk away is wisdom. Being able to is courage “Knowing when to walk away is wisdom. Being able to is courage. Walking away, with your head held high is dignity.”—unknown

“Your strongest muscle and worst enemy is your mind. Train it well “Your strongest muscle and worst enemy is your mind. Train it well.”—unknown

Six ways to imitate God in our lives. We must live with wisdom We need to make the most of our time/opportunities. “Because the days are evil” The days are full of moral decadence. Decadence—refers to being marked by a period of decline or decay. It is characterized by an appeal to self-indulge. Because people’s souls are in jeopardy.

Six ways to imitate God in our lives. We must forgive like God. We must love like God. We must sacrifice like Christ. We must strive to be pure/obedient. We must strive to be children of light. We must live with wisdom.

Before we can imitate God we have to be cleansed by God. Titus 3:3-7