Applying Ephesians 5:1 to everyday life...

[Lucian Hodoboc]

"Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children." (Ephesians 5:1)

We should imitate God in everything we do, huh? Well, in order to imitate someone, one has to first analyze said person's behavior, right? I have analyzed God's behavior in my life for numerous years. If I were to imitate God, I would become a very unpleasant person and I would end up self-destroying.

If I were to apply this verse to my everyday life, I would probably be seen as a very bizarre person and might even get in trouble.

Can you imagine what would happen if you ignored your "dear" children as they begged you for help every single day for years, letting them starve, be abused by your enemies, giving them the silent treatment while they talk to you everyday, writing a book in which you tell them that you will torture them forever if they don't love you and obey you? You would probably have your children taken away and you would end up in prison.

Can you imagine completely ignoring everyone who talks to you, not answering anything, not replying in any way to anyone? You would probably be diagnosed with nonverbal autism.

 

[Frankj]

Jesus was God incarnate on earth, here to bring not only salvation but to show us how we are meant to behave, imitate him and you imitate God.

FWIW, by what authority do you judge God?

 

[BruceLeiter]

"Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children." (Ephesians 5:1)

We should imitate God in everything we do, huh? Well, in order to imitate someone, one has to first analyze said person's behavior, right? I have analyzed God's behavior in my life for numerous years. If I were to imitate God, I would become a very unpleasant person and I would end up self-destroying.

If I were to apply this verse to my everyday life, I would probably be seen as a very bizarre person and might even get in trouble.

Can you imagine what would happen if you ignored your "dear" children as they begged you for help every single day for years, letting them starve, be abused by your enemies, giving them the silent treatment while they talk to you everyday, writing a book in which you tell them that you will torture them forever if they don't love you and obey you? You would probably have your children taken away and you would end up in prison.

Can you imagine completely ignoring everyone who talks to you, not answering anything, not replying in any way to anyone? You would probably be diagnosed with nonverbal autism.

@Lucian Hodoboc, it means to imitate the God of the Bible. It takes study of him according to his definitions, teachings, and history in order to know him in your personal trust for Jesus' death and resurrection to enable you to put off the old, sinful nature qualities and put on the new nature traits by the power of Jesus' all-powerful resurrection.