Christ First Forum

Ephesians 5:1-11

1.Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;
4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

If we are to be imitators of God then why do so many so Called Christians go against this very precept and principle from God's holy word.

There is an old saying down in the south that goes like this:
If you lie down with dogs, you are sure to wake up with fleas!

That is a timely reminder Frank. Thank you.

Each Christian should be an imitator of God because he is God's child.

As a child imitates his parents, so ought a believer to imitate God.

Waking by love is how a believer can imitate God.

The supreme example of this love is Christ's love for His own--He loved us; His sacrificing HIs life on the cross.

Christians can imitate God by loving others, even to the point of death if necessary.

Paul sternly warned believers that the reason the Ephesian Church believers wereto abstain from evil deeds is that those who practice them are not a part of God's kingdom.

They will not have an inheritance in the kingdom..

A greedy person...is an idolater in the sense that greed, like idols, put things before God.

God's view of sin should be taken seriously.

Believers should be imitators of God, not evildoers.

Children of light does what pleases the Lord...

Now Christians are forbidden to be 'sharers together' of sons of disobedience.

Christians, by conducting themselves as children of light, expose the deeds of darkness...

Great post, Jeani!!!