Ephesians 5:1

 

Ephesians 5:1

Be Imitators of God

 

Eph 5:1  Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 

 

           1.     You are to Imitate God

a.     Is it possible for humans imitate the Divine Nature?

                                               i.     God has two categories of His divine attributes

1.     The Incommunicable attributes

a.     His Independence (or Aseity) - Exodus 3:14 

b.     His Eternality - Isaiah 41:4 

c.     His Omniscience - Psalm 33:13 

d.     His Omnipotence - Romans 11:35-36 

e.     His Omnipresence - Hebrews 1:3 

2.     The Communicable attributes

a.     His Holiness - 1 Peter 1:15-16 

b.     His Righteousness - Psalm 119:137-138 

c.     His Love - Matthew 5:44-45 

d.     His Mercy - Ephesians 2:4 

e.     His Longsuffering - 1 Timothy 1:16 

f.      His Faithfulness - Deuteronomy 7:9 

g.     His Forgiveness - Ephesians 4:32 

            2.     You are to Imitate God, Because You are His Child

a.     Who are the Children of God?

                                               i.     Those who are not:

1.     Ephesians 2:1-3 

                                             ii.     Those who are:

1.     God’s children are adopted - Ephesians 1:3-5 

2.     God’s children are adopted through faith - Ephesians 1:13 

3.     God’s children are now members of His Family - Ephesians 2:19 

4.     God’s Children are to put off their old nature - Ephesians 4:24 

5.     God’s Children are empowered by His Love - 1 John 3:1-2