Be imitators of God!!

 Be imitators of God: Ephesians 5:1: "Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children." To be an imitator means to copycat someone.  We as Born Again believers must copycat and follow God in every area of our lives.  Remeber God in us, Jesus in us, Holy Spirit in us.  God is Word and Spirit.  John 4:24: " God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” Jesus is the Word in flesh.   John 1:14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."  And Jesus is also the visible image of the invisible God.  John 10:30: "I and My Father are one.” Jesus walked like God, spoke like God and acted like God.  John 5:19: "Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner."  Jesus copied and followed God and so must we.We must talk like God, walk like God, act like God in every area of our lives.  So it means walk with joy, peace, hope, faith, kindness, love, patience, self-control, and the way we speak as well.  

Exodus 3:14: "God replied to Moses, “I am who I am.  Say this to the people of Israel: I am has sent me to you.” Jesus' words in John 10:30: "I and My Father are one.”   John 5:19: "Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." So Jesus copied God. Everything that God does, Jesus was doing it.  God said," I Am ..." Jesus said," I AM the Light, I AM the WAY, the TRUTH, the LIFE, I AM the Resurrection and Life, I AM the Good Shepherd, I AM the Vine, I AM the Bread of Life. God's Word said: Ephesians 5:1: "Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children." What do you sound like, the world's way or God's way.  I AM NOT, or I AM!! In everything we do we must sound like God, act like God, talk like, be like God.  I AM BLESSED: Deuteronomy 28:2: " And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God." I AM HEALED: Isaiah 53:5: "And by His stripes we are healed." I AM JOYFUL: Nehemiah 8:10: " For the joy of the Lord is your strength." I AM PROSPEROUS: Ephesians 3:20 "Now unto him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that I ask or think, according to the power that works in me." Philippians 4:19: " My God supplies all my need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." 2 Corinthians 9:8: "And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others." I CAN DO EVERYTHING:  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." And remember that WORDS HAVE POWER! Proverbs 18:21: "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Matthew 12:36: "But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an account for it in the day of judgment." Matthew 12:37: "The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you." Be imitators of God and not of the world. 

To be imitators of God, we also need to renew our mind.  That is why it so important to be Born Again.  You cannot try to copy God and still do  wordly things.  It will not work.  You have to be Born Again! You have to study, meditate, focus on the Word of God day and night to renew your mind.  You have to think like God.  1 Corinthians 2:16: "But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ." Romans 12:2: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." By studying the Word of God, meditating on the Word of God and speaking the Word of God, you will become imitators of God and also the Word of God will become a godly lifestyle.  Colossians 3:1-4: "Focus on the heavenly things. Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.  Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.  And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory." Renew your mind daily! Walk, talk act and speak like Jesus did on earth.  He is our perfect example on how to become imitators of God!