Masterpiece | Part 10

(Ephesians 5:1 – 20) Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints. Obscene and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. For know and recognize this: Every

sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things. Therefore, do not become their partners. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light–for the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth – testing what is pleasing to the Lord. Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. Everything exposed by the light is made visible, for what makes everything visible is light. Therefore it is said: “Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Pay careful attention, then to how you live – not as unwise people but as wise –

making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit: speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Ways to Walk as Imitators of God . . .

1. We imitate God by walking in love not in lust.

(Ephesians 5:1 – 2) Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.

(1 John 3:18) Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth.

(John 3:16) For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

2. We imitate God by walking in light not in darkness.

(Ephesians 5:8) For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.

(1 John 1:5) This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him.

(2 Corinthians 6:14) Don’t become partners with those who do not believe. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?

3. We imitate God by walking in wisdom not in foolishness.

(Ephesians 5:15) Pay careful attention, then to how you live – not as unwise people but as wise

(James 1:5) Now, if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God – who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly – and it will be given to him.