Follower or Imitator- Conclusions and Final Thoughts

Ephesians 5:1-2 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”

Follower. Imitator.

After a careful review of the previous six posts that allowed us to dig into the characteristics that Christ manifested in flesh - can you now see the stark difference between these two terms?

A follower is one who simply goes where another leads.

An imitator is one who strives to become like the one they follow.

I believe that the early church was full of disciples, those who truly desired not only to follow Christ, but to become more like Him every day.

They were passionate pursuers of the truth that He lived out, and proclaimed it with boldness. They learned to lay their lives down in sacrifice and humility and faithfully serve one another as they served Jesus. And they worshiped- oh did they worship! For the freedom they had found in Christ. For the life they lived. For the love He so freely bestowed upon them.

Shall we not live to do the same?

Father, may our lives be a fragrant aroma, constantly being poured out for you. May the path of true discipleship be the goal of our lives. Let us remain steadfast in pursuit of this. May we pursue you passionately. May we be people of boldness, unafraid and unashamed to proclaim the truth of your name. Let us sacrifice in love, with no thought of recompense. May we walk in humility before you and others, in an honest assessment of who we are in light of the cross. And may we worship - for You alone are worthy of our highest praise and glory. May every moment of our lives be a stream of praise rising to the heavens, and may we join our voices together in one accord to you! ~~ Amen

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