Imitators of Christ

 

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. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (Ephesians 5:1-5 ESV).

 

I have seen a brace of beagles on the hunt after a cottontail many times. These times were just a few of those when I learned an incredibly powerful principle of how important it is to “be imitators” of those who have our best interest in mind and seek to lead us safely to the next part of our development. These lessons came from my dad. I can remember so vividly those times when we would go out to run our beagles and rabbit hunt. He was careful to show me how to do things rather than merely telling me how to do them. He wanted me to know how to be safe, but he also wanted me to know how to be successful.

 

I recall one instance in particular when we put our dogs out in a large overgrown field. It wasn’t long before they caught the scent and began to bay as they chased the rabbit. My instinct was to follow the dogs in hope of catching a glimpse of our quarry. Dad quickly called me to follow him in what appeared to be route completely out of the correct position. We didn’t move far and he positioned me just behind and to his right (he was left handed and that was the safest place for me to be). I was relaxed thinking we’d never see the rabbit much less get a shot. Shortly as the dogs sounded like they were getting closer, I watched my dad raise his shotgun. He said, “Look ahead to the left.” As I did, he fired just about the time a brown cottontail emerged from the grass into view, and we had the first one of the day for supper! He then said, “The rabbits always circle back from the dogs. If you follow them, you’ll never see the rabbit.” I have hunted many times, and every time he was right.

 

It is no wonder the apostle says to be “… imitators of God, as beloved children” (v. 1) in our reading today. He knows that’s how we can be both successful and right. He does go on to be more specific in what that practically looks like. And, we’ll look at that in the next few days. Today, is it time for you to reevaluate how you “walk” in your life? Honestly, how’s it really working for you to do it your way?