The Art of Imitation - Your Daily Forward Devotional

The Art of Imitation

February 15

Read Ephesians 5:1-2 (ESV)

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.

Reflect

What attributes of God do you try to emulate?

Young children love to imitate their parents. If you say “So big!” to a toddler and put your hands up over your head, so do they. When you say “dada,” they might try to say it, too. When you clap for them, they start clapping for themselves. Our beloved children learn so much by watching us and being a copycat.

Just as young children are trying to figure out how to navigate a brand-new world, as Christians, we have to learn how to navigate through the same old world even though we ourselves have been made brand-new. And Paul suggests a similar strategy that babies have perfected. The art of imitation.

Paul says that since we are God’s children, we should imitate Him. We should learn by watching our Father and doing what He does. But how do we know what God does if we can’t see Him? We read Scripture, learn about the attributes of God, and then strive to emulate those.

One thing God does is love. 1 John 4:16 says that “God is love.” Therefore, we should also walk in love. The most obvious way that Jesus showed God’s love for us is that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Jesus gave Himself as a sacrifice to God on our behalf. Without this act of love, you and I would never be holy enough to be near to our heavenly Father. Jesus made a way because He loves us.

Friends, if you are trying to figure out how to navigate through the same old broken world, look to Jesus. Study Him so that you know Him so well, you can’t help but copy Him. Walk in His ways, step by step. Walk in His love.

Pray

Jesus, I want to follow in Your footsteps. I want to walk in love and show the world around me that I have been made new. Help me to imitate You, the perfect example of how to live. Amen.