Reflecting God's Love: Our Call to Imitate

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we are called to be imitators of God, not just in belief but in our daily conduct. This call is rooted in the understanding of God's attributes, which are divided into incommunicable and communicable. The incommunicable attributes belong solely to God, defining His divine nature. However, the communicable attributes, such as holiness, righteousness, love, mercy, and compassion, are those we are called to emulate. As God's children, we are to reflect these attributes in our lives, striving to live in a manner that mirrors God's character.

The essence of being imitators of God is not merely about moral living or being good people. It transcends that, calling us to a higher standard of living that reflects our identity as God's beloved children. This identity is not just a legal relationship but a deeply personal one, where God knows and loves each of us individually. As children beloved, we are to live in a way that pleases God, bringing joy to His heart as we walk in His ways.

Our relationship with God as His children should inspire us to live lives that honor Him. Just as a child naturally desires to emulate a beloved parent, we too should strive to reflect God's character in our actions. This involves living in love, as Christ loved us, offering ourselves as a living sacrifice, and walking in a manner worthy of our calling. Our lives should be a testament to God's love and grace, drawing others to Him through our actions.

The privilege of being part of God's family is unparalleled. As Christians, we are called to live extraordinary lives, distinct from the world's standards. Our conduct should be a reflection of God's love, mercy, and grace, setting us apart as His children. This is not just a call to moral living but a call to live in a way that glorifies God and points others to Him.

Key Takeaways:

1. Imitating God's Communicable Attributes: We are called to reflect God's communicable attributes, such as holiness, righteousness, and love, in our daily lives. This is not just about being good but about embodying God's character in all we do. [22:34]

2. Our Identity as God's Beloved Children: Understanding our identity as God's beloved children transforms our approach to life. We are not just legally related to God but are deeply loved by Him, which should inspire us to live in a way that pleases Him. [29:08]

3. Living to Honor God: As representatives of God's family, our conduct reflects on Him. We are called to live in a way that honors God, understanding that our actions can draw others to Him or push them away. [34:20]

4. The Privilege of Being a Christian: Being a Christian is an unparalleled privilege, offering us a unique identity and calling. We are part of God's royal family, and our lives should reflect this extraordinary status. [35:42]

5. Walking in Love as Christ Did: Our lives should be characterized by love, mirroring Christ's sacrificial love for us. This involves loving others, even our enemies, and living in a way that reflects God's love and grace. [42:55]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [21:29] - Understanding God's Attributes
- [22:01] - Holiness and Righteousness
- [22:34] - Communicable Attributes of God
- [23:05] - Imitating God
- [24:02] - Why Imitate God?
- [25:12] - The Danger of Morality
- [26:01] - Adoption as God's Children
- [27:19] - Beyond Forgiveness
- [28:06] - The Christian Life
- [29:08] - Children Beloved
- [30:43] - Pleasing God
- [32:19] - Desire to Be Like God
- [33:50] - Honor of the Family
- [35:27] - Privilege of Being a Christian
- [38:16] - Walking in Love
- [42:55] - Christ's Example of Love

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 5:1-2 - "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
2. Matthew 5:43-48 - "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Observation Questions:
1. What are the communicable attributes of God mentioned in the sermon, and how are we called to reflect them in our lives? [22:34]
2. How does the sermon describe our identity as God's beloved children, and what impact should this have on our daily conduct? [29:08]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of living a life that honors God, and how does it affect those around us? [34:20]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the privilege of being a Christian, and how should this influence our behavior in the world? [35:42]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding God's communicable attributes help believers in their journey to imitate God? What challenges might arise in this pursuit? [22:34]
2. In what ways does recognizing our identity as God's beloved children transform our approach to life and relationships? [29:08]
3. How can living to honor God serve as a testimony to others, and what are some practical ways to ensure our actions draw others to Him? [34:20]
4. What does it mean to walk in love as Christ did, and how can this be practically applied in our interactions with others, including those who may be difficult to love? [42:55]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a specific communicable attribute of God, such as love or mercy, that you find challenging to embody. What steps can you take this week to better reflect this attribute in your daily life? [22:34]
2. Consider your identity as a beloved child of God. How does this understanding influence your self-worth and interactions with others? What changes can you make to live more fully in this identity? [29:08]
3. Think of a recent situation where your conduct could have either honored or dishonored God. How can you ensure that your future actions consistently reflect God's character and draw others to Him? [34:20]
4. Identify a person in your life who is difficult to love. What practical actions can you take to show them Christ-like love this week, even if they do not reciprocate? [42:55]
5. Reflect on the privilege of being part of God's family. How does this perspective change the way you view your role in your community and the world? What specific actions can you take to live out this privilege? [35:42]
6. How can you cultivate a deeper desire to please God in your daily life? Identify one area where you can make a conscious effort to align your actions with this desire. [31:01]
7. Consider the concept of walking in love as Christ did. What is one tangible way you can demonstrate sacrificial love to someone in your life this week? [42:55]

Devotional

Day 1: Reflecting God's Communicable Attributes
In our daily lives, we are called to embody God's communicable attributes, such as holiness, righteousness, and love. This is not merely about being morally good but about reflecting God's character in all we do. As we strive to imitate these attributes, we become living examples of God's presence in the world. This call to imitation is a profound invitation to align our actions with God's nature, allowing His holiness and love to shine through us. By doing so, we not only honor God but also draw others to Him through our conduct. [22:34]

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God." (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one attribute of God you struggle to reflect in your life. What practical steps can you take today to better embody this attribute?


Day 2: Embracing Our Identity as God's Beloved Children
Understanding our identity as God's beloved children transforms our approach to life. This identity is not just a legal relationship but a deeply personal one, where God knows and loves each of us individually. As His beloved children, we are inspired to live in a way that pleases Him, bringing joy to His heart. This understanding should motivate us to live lives that reflect our unique relationship with God, striving to embody His love and grace in all we do. [29:08]

"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him." (1 John 3:1, ESV)

Reflection: How does knowing you are deeply loved by God change the way you view yourself and your daily interactions with others?


Day 3: Living to Honor God
As representatives of God's family, our conduct reflects on Him. We are called to live in a way that honors God, understanding that our actions can either draw others to Him or push them away. This responsibility is a profound privilege, as our lives become a testament to God's love and grace. By living in a manner that honors God, we fulfill our calling as His children, setting an example for others to follow. [34:20]

"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel." (Philippians 1:27, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a recent situation where your actions did not honor God. How can you approach similar situations differently in the future to better reflect His character?


Day 4: The Privilege of Being a Christian
Being a Christian is an unparalleled privilege, offering us a unique identity and calling. As part of God's royal family, our lives should reflect this extraordinary status. This privilege calls us to live extraordinary lives, distinct from the world's standards, and to embody God's love, mercy, and grace. By doing so, we not only honor our identity as Christians but also point others to God through our actions and words. [35:42]

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you embrace your identity as part of God's royal family today, and how can this influence your interactions with others?


Day 5: Walking in Love as Christ Did
Our lives should be characterized by love, mirroring Christ's sacrificial love for us. This involves loving others, even our enemies, and living in a way that reflects God's love and grace. By walking in love, we become living examples of Christ's love, drawing others to Him through our actions. This call to love is a profound invitation to embody the love of Christ in all we do, allowing His love to transform our relationships and interactions. [42:55]

"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." (Ephesians 5:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is difficult to love. How can you show them Christ-like love today, even if it requires sacrifice on your part?

Quotes


The communicable attributes of God include these: Holiness, be ye holy as God for I am Holy. There is an attribute of God, I am Holy, yes, he says, but be ye holy because I am Holy. This is communicable. This is something that I am to imitate as God is Holy, I am to be holy. [00:21:56]

We are not just to be good people; we're to be imitators of God. It's so much higher, it's so much glorious. I'm not to be straining and struggling just not to do those things, to keep as near as I can to them, just not do them and so on and object to having to live this. [00:23:16]

The greatest enemy of morality, ultimately the greatest enemy of Christianity eventually, is morality. The most unchristian people in the world today are those people who are living very good lives and are satisfied with it and think that that's the Acme. That, I say, is the opposite of Christianity. [00:24:46]

As Christians, we are not merely forgiven. We are forgiven, thank God, there'd be no hope for us if we were not forgiven. But Christianity is merely to be forgiven and not to go to hell and to continue as you are but forgiven all along. No, to be Christian is not merely even to be born again. [00:27:01]

If I believe and realize something of this truth, the greatest desire of my life should be to show my love to him and should be to please him in everything. Nothing gives God Greater Joy, I say it on the authority of my text and on all the parallel texts in the scriptures. [00:30:49]

If we realize the truth of this relationship, well then our greatest desire, of course, in life will be to be like God. Or you can work out these analogies for yourselves, but you look at a little boy who loves his father and who knows his father's love to him. [00:32:25]

The honor of the family is in our hands. That's true of us always as children in a family. We are representatives of the family, and as people look at us, they don't only judge us, they judge our families. That's why we're all so careful to give instructions to our children. [00:33:46]

Is there a greater privilege than being a Christian, I ask you? Can you mention to me anything in this world this morning that is comparable to this, that you and I are children of God, that we belong to his family, we belong to the household of God? [00:35:38]

Live in such a way that everybody looking at you will be made to think of God because you're a child of God. Indeed, you remember our Lord put it himself so clearly, a new commandment he says I give unto you, that he love one another. So shall men know that he are my disciples. [00:36:59]

If we are to be imitators of God and God is love, well then we must walk in love. See, that's the inevitable logic of Christian truth. And what is this? Well, he has already hinted at it in the last verse of the previous chapter: be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another. [00:38:23]

Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you. In other words, you see what he's teaching is that we must apply to others what God has done to us and deal with others. [00:40:38]

Our life will be absolutely different. If, says our Lord, you love them which love you, what reward have you? Do not even the publicans the same? The publicans, you see, love those who love them. There's nothing clever about doing that, there's nothing extraordinary about that. [00:41:26]

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Transcript
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