• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
ChurchPlants

ChurchPlants

Looking to plant a church? Find free ideas on how to get started, church planting tips, and establish a strong healthy church. Browse now!

  • Teams
  • Growth
  • Leadership
  • Strategy
  • Finances
  • Free Downloads
You are here: Home / How To's / Can We Imitate God?

Can We Imitate God?

October 3, 2023 by JD Payne Articles, How To's

Paul writes, “Therefore be imitators of God” (Eph 5:1). At first glance, calling this declaration a daunting task is the understatement of the century! You want me to imitate God?

Can We Imitate God?

Given the context, the apostle was exhorting his readers to love and show compassion toward one another. Christ forgave them, so they should forgive their brothers and sisters (4:32). Christ loved them, so they should walk in love (5:2). The command to imitate God in this respect was not something too lofty for the Church.

However, I think a greater principle is in play here. For example, Paul was not shy to root his apostolic acts in the model of Christ, that many may be saved (1 Cor 10:33). And for the Corinthians, the immediate application of Christ’s and Paul’s examples was “be imitators of me, as I am of Christ (1 Cor 11:1).

Following the Creation account, God sends Himself into the created order and enters into relationship with man and woman. While this intimacy lasts for a while, the Fall brings eternal separation. Regardless, the gracious and loving Creator sends Himself again into the Garden with a message of hope through judgment. Relationship and blessing now come through death. The woman’s seed will crush the serpent’s head (Gen 3:15), and though hindered, fellowship with the Creator is restored by faith.

Pages: Page 1 Page 2Page Next page
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter

About JD Payne

J. D. serves as the pastor of church multiplication with The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama. He has pastored churches in Kentucky and Indiana, and served for a decade with the North American Mission Board and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of several books on the topics of evangelism and missions.

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Church Planting Jobs

Search Here

Christian News Now

Enter your email for tips on how to have a thriving church!

Footer

Company

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise
  • Terms of Service
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Get Email Updates
  • Christian News Now

Copyright © 2025 ChurchPlants

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise
  • Terms of Service