A note from our pastor:

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;”

Ephesians 5:1

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

As we begin to look at the fifth chapter of Ephesians this morning, it is important to remember there were no chapter divisions in the Apostle’s original writing. Just because our text moves into a new chapter does not mean it is a separate and distinct thought. Therefore, we should carefully look to understand the context the end of the fourth chapter provides for the beginning of the fifth chapter.

At the end of the fourth chapter the Apostle tells us, as disciples, how God has forgiven us for Christ’s sake. He also instructs us to be kind and forgiving to one another in the same fashion Christ is forgiving to us. It is this context which sets the foundation for the thoughts in our study verse this morning.

Having established how God loves his people and forgives them, the Apostle now instructs us to be followers of God. This phrase “be followers of God” means to be imitators of God. Not that we can imitate his wisdom, power, or glory but we can imitate his love, grace, and mercy.

The Apostle uses a wonderful qualifying statement to clarify this instruction. He tells his readers to do so as “dear children”. Have you ever watched a young child walking around imitating a person they admire? There is such pure love and respect in that child’s heart for the adult they are imitating. They simply cannot imagine a better way than to be like the one they love. This is our instruction as disciples.

Can we possibly imagine a better way than to try to imitate God?

Let us be followers of God by living his grace, mercy, and love.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah