Christ's Pattern Of Life
TOPIC: CHRIST’S PATTERN OF LIFE
Read: Ephesians 5:1-3
MEMORISE: Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. (Ephesians 5:1).
EXPOSITION
The above exhortation is not found only in Ephesians 5 but in several other places in the Scripture. These include Matthew 5:8: Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect; 1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another; and 1 Peter 1:15-16: But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."
The word, ’imitate’, has the same meaning with the word , ‘mimic’, which simply means to copy closely, to repeat another person’s speech, actions, behaviour and mannerisms. It means we should live as He lives or follow His pattern of life. The supreme example of imitating God is in the life of Christ. The following are some areas we should imitate God:
Live a life of love (Jn. 13:35; Eph. 5:2). We are to walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
Live life of holiness (1Pet. 1:14-16). Peter is emphasizing that the holiness to which believers are called is something evident; it is in our daily doings.
Be kind and compassionate (Eph. 4:32). This is a heart condition of a regenerated believer that is empowered by the Holy Spirit and bears the fruit of kindness, compassion, peace-making, forgiveness, humbling ourselves. God forgave us our sins; He is kind and compassionate towards us. Let us imitate Him in our dealings with others.
Live a life of living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1-3). Christ’s living sacrifice should be our standard. In view of Christ who gave all of Himself for us, our once selfish thinking is replaced with a Christ-like character of serving and sacrifice for Him and others. What a joy to know this spiritual exercise rests completely on our saving God: For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13).
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, help me to pattern my life according to Your Word and Way
2. Lord, make me a good example of Your holiness to people around me.
3. Pray for Christians in the National and States Houses of Assemblies as well as the local councils that they would live as representatives of God!
Read: Ephesians 5:1-3
MEMORISE: Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. (Ephesians 5:1).
EXPOSITION
The above exhortation is not found only in Ephesians 5 but in several other places in the Scripture. These include Matthew 5:8: Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect; 1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another; and 1 Peter 1:15-16: But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."
The word, ’imitate’, has the same meaning with the word , ‘mimic’, which simply means to copy closely, to repeat another person’s speech, actions, behaviour and mannerisms. It means we should live as He lives or follow His pattern of life. The supreme example of imitating God is in the life of Christ. The following are some areas we should imitate God:
Live a life of love (Jn. 13:35; Eph. 5:2). We are to walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
Live life of holiness (1Pet. 1:14-16). Peter is emphasizing that the holiness to which believers are called is something evident; it is in our daily doings.
Be kind and compassionate (Eph. 4:32). This is a heart condition of a regenerated believer that is empowered by the Holy Spirit and bears the fruit of kindness, compassion, peace-making, forgiveness, humbling ourselves. God forgave us our sins; He is kind and compassionate towards us. Let us imitate Him in our dealings with others.
Live a life of living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1-3). Christ’s living sacrifice should be our standard. In view of Christ who gave all of Himself for us, our once selfish thinking is replaced with a Christ-like character of serving and sacrifice for Him and others. What a joy to know this spiritual exercise rests completely on our saving God: For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13).
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, help me to pattern my life according to Your Word and Way
2. Lord, make me a good example of Your holiness to people around me.
3. Pray for Christians in the National and States Houses of Assemblies as well as the local councils that they would live as representatives of God!
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