The Art Of Imitating God | Ephesians 5

If You Could Swap Lives With A Famous Person, Who Would You Swap Lives With?

What Did We Talk About In Ephesians 4?

Paul concluded the first three chapters on right believing, and in chapter 4, he transitioned to right living. He gave three main exhortations: live worthy of your calling, stay united, and live completely separate from sin.

The Art Of Imitating God | Ephesians 5

Nine-year-old Tommy just received a model ship from his great-aunt. Looking at the box, he was anxious to see it built, but he was dismayed to find dozens of tiny pieces. His discouragement grew because his dad was out of town. He sat there and asked himself, "What would my dad do if he were here?" Then his eyes caught the manual. He thought, "Dad would do it right. He would follow instructions. To do it right, I've got to be like my dad." Tommy followed the steps carefully and built a beautiful ship. Later, his dad praised him.

We need to think more like our heavenly Father from day to day. That makes the exact difference between victory and defeat.

The core theme of this chapter is found in verse one: “Be imitators of God” (v. 1).

What Does It Mean To Imitate?

The Greek word for imitator is mimētēs, which means to copy or mimic the actions and behavior of another.

Just as a little child mimics their parents, we are called to copy God. This means knowing Him so intimately that we naturally reflect His character. A real relationship with God cannot help but show itself in everyday action.

Paul outlines three specific walks to follow:

1. Walk In The Love Of Christ (v.1–2)

2. Walk In The Light Of Christ (v.3–21)

3. Walk In The Loyalty Of Christ (v.22–33)

and that’s all.… message over!

I. Walk In The Love Of Christ (v.1-2)

Ephesians 5:1–2 NASB95

1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2and 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.

This section ties directly to the end of chapter 4, where Paul warns against bitterness. That is why he starts with “Therefore.” As godly people, we are called to copy the God we worship by daily mirroring His character, being holy and merciful as He is.

We are to do this “as beloved children (v. 1b).” Children naturally learn by watching and mimicking their parents. Because we have received a new nature born into a loving relationship with our heavenly Father, we should want to look like Him. Only when we resemble Him in love and forgiveness do we prove we are truly His dear children.

Next comes the command to “walk in love (v. 2a).” The single most recommended trait for us to copy is His Love.

1 John 4:16 NASB95

We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

Walking means your daily lifestyle. Love must guide everything you do, even the way you play basketball!

Paul points us straight to the supreme example of Jesus: “just as Christ also loved you (v. 2b).” In Him, we see the most free, self-sacrificing love that will ever exist.

He gave the absolute proof of that love when He “gave Himself up for us (v. 2c)” to die in our place.

His death was “an offering and a sacrifice to God (v. 2d),” completely satisfying the holy law of God and wiping away our guilt.

Paul uses Old Testament language here, describing His death “as a fragrant aroma (v. 2e).” Old Testament sin offerings were repulsive because they carried guilt, but the burnt and peace offerings were a soothing, sweet aroma because they showed total devotion. Christ’s sacrifice pleased the Father completely. Imagine combining the best soothing smells: vanilla, a nice juicy steak, and the Hawaiian ocean. This sacrifice was infinitely better to God!

Walking in the Love of Christ is the absolute foundation for our Christian life.

II. Walk In The Light Of Christ (v.3-21)

Ephesians 5:3–4 NASB95

3But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

After a violent storm one night, a stately giant of a tree was found smashed across a park pathway. Nothing but a splintered stump was left. Closer inspection revealed it was completely rotten at the core because thousands of tiny insects had eaten away its heart over the years. The tree's weakness began the exact moment the very first insect nested inside its bark. We must be incredibly careful to guard our purity.

Since “God is light” and we are called to copy our Father, we must walk in the light and have absolutely nothing to do with the darkness of sin.

Paul instructs us to run away from “immorality or any impurity (v. 3a).”

Immorality means sexual sin, and impurity includes every type of filthy lust common in permissive pagan society.

Paul connects these to “greed” because both are out-of-control appetites taking what belongs to others.

James 4:4 NASB95

You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

These sins “must not even be named among you (v. 3b),” meaning we never talk about them with approval, “as is proper among saints (v. 3c)”, holy people set apart for God.

Paul also warns against things people laugh off:

“filthiness” (crude behavior),

“silly talk” (senseless, unedifying chatter),

“coarse-jesting” (using quick humor for dirty jokes or cruel sarcasm).

These are “not fitting (v. 4b)”; they pollute the hearer.

Instead, use your mouth for “giving of thanks (v. 4c).” True thanksgiving, means gracious, godly conversation. Our joy should express itself in what brings God glory.

James 3:10 NASB95

from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.

Danger Of Not Walking In The Light (v.5-8,10)

Ephesians 5:5–6 NASB95

5For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Ephesians 5:7–8 NASB95

7Therefore do not be partakers with them; 8for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light

Ephesians 5:10 NASB95

10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

Paul lays out 3 Dangers Of practicing darkness:

Cuts-Off (v.5): A greedy or impure person is an “idolater (v. 5b)” because they worship pleasure over God. Such a person “has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God (v. 5b).” Habitual, unrepentant sin shows a person is not a real Christian.

Condemns (v.6-7): “Let no one deceive you with empty words (v. 6a).” Do not let smooth-talkers convince you that grace allows you to play with sin.

Satan used those same empty words on Eve,

Genesis 3:4 NASB95

The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die!

Instead, “the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience (v. 6b).” We must not be “partakers with them (v. 7)” by joining in or encouraging their sin.

Corrupts (v.8,10): “For you were formerly darkness (v. 8a).” Living in sin is like walking in pitch blackness... can’t do much good when you can’t see anything. “But now you are Light in the Lord (v. 8b).” The Holy Spirit savingly enlightened you. Therefore, “Walk as children of Light (v. 8c)” matching your daily life to your holy position.

Directions To Stay Walking In The Light (v.9,11-17)

Ephesians 5:9 NASB95

9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),

Ephesians 5:11 NASB95

11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;

Ephesians 5:12–13 NASB95

12for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.

Ephesians 5:14–15 NASB95

14For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” 15Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,

Ephesians 5:16–17 NASB95

16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Paul prescribes three practical ways to combat darkness:

Produce (v.9): We must actively bear “the fruit of the Light,” which consists of:

goodness (generosity),

righteousness (living upright),

and truth (sincerity of heart).

Living in the light balances these three traits.

Part (v.11-14): Have no fellowship with “deeds of darkness (v. 11b).” They are completely “unfruitful” and bring total ruin.

Instead, “expose them.” We don't do this by listing off people’s sins... “for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things... done by them in secret (v. 12).” We expose darkness simply by showing the light of Christ through our holy, exemplary lives.

Paul quotes an early baptismal hymn:

Isaiah 60:1 NASB95

1 “Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

“Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead (v. 14b).” God commands the spiritually numb to repent, promising “Christ will shine on you (v. 14c)” with knowledge and glory.

Pursue (v.15-17): “Therefore be careful how you walk (v. 15a).” Look inward before you correct others.

Walk precisely on the right path, “not as unwise men (v. 15b),” but “as wise (v. 15c).”

This means “making the most of your time (v. 16a),” buying up every opportunity for service, like a businessman “because the days are evil (v. 16b).”

“but understand what the will of the Lord is (v. 17b).” Studying and obeying God’s Word is the truest wisdom.

Duties Of Walking In The Light (v.18-21)

Ephesians 5:18–19 NASB95

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;

Ephesians 5:20–21 NASB95

20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.

Paul closes this section with one negative command and four positive duties:

Sober (v.17a). “And do not get drunk with wine (v. 18a).” Drunkenness was common in pagan ceremonies to induce fake communion with idols. Paul calls it “dissipation” - wild, lawless living that strips away self-control.

Filled (v.18b): “But be filled with the Spirit (v. 18b).” The tense here means to go on letting yourself be controlled by the Holy Spirit. This fills your mind with joy and wisdom that substances can never provide.

Worship (v.19): Instead of crude bar songs, we are to be “speaking to one another (v. 19a)” for mutual edification using:

psalms (scripture put to music)

hymns (songs exalting Christ)

spiritual songs (spontaneous personal testimonies)

We must praise Him by “making melody with your heart to the Lord (v. 19f),” which involves our deep inner emotions.

Grateful (v.20): We are to live “always giving thanks for all things (v. 20a)” to “God, even the Father (v. 20b)” in the name of Jesus. We must thank Him for provision, comforts, and even our bad times when they perfect us.

Submit (v.21): Paul transitions to family life by commanding us to “be subject to one another in the fear of Christ (v. 21b).” Spirit-filled believers voluntarily lower themselves to carry each other's burdens out of deep reverence for Jesus, leveling the ground for all human relationships.

To walk in the light of Christ means to walk pure. Remember the dangers of leaving the light, the directions to stay in the light, and the daily duties of living out the light. God is pure light. Wake up, look at your hidden choices, throw away the old deeds of darkness, and start imitating your Father!

III. Walk In The Loyalty Of Christ (v.22-31)

"Industrialist Henry Ford showed unshakeable loyalty by refusing to change his Model T car design for nearly 20 years. That commitment explains his perfect advice on his 50th wedding anniversary. When asked for his secret to a happy marriage, Ford replied: 'Just the same as in the automobile business, stick to one model.'"

In this section, Paul speaks directly to the responsibilities of husbands and wives. He frames this in a uniquely Christian way, using the church as the ultimate pattern for the wife’s cooperation and Christ as the model for the husband’s love. Now, this text might not apply to your life today, but it will some day, maybe...

The Loyalty Of A Wife (v.22-24)

Ephesians 5:22–24 NASB95

22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

Here is the role laid down for wives: to submit to their husbands in the Lord. This submission is not a forced slavery. It is a voluntary, loving cooperation driven by a principle of genuine love.

When a wife fulfills this role “as to the Lord (v. 22b),” she is doing it out of deep respect for God’s authority. We learn from this that when we carefully carry out our responsibilities to other people, we are actually obeying and pleasing God Himself. God cares deeply about how we treat our neighbors.

Paul gives a specific reason for this structure: “For the husband is the head of the wife (v. 23a).” This metaphor is taken from the physical head, which is the center of reason, wisdom, and motion.

God established this order at creation, and reiterated it when sin entered the world:

Genesis 3:16 NASB95

16 Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he will rule over you.”

Any difficulty in this setup is a direct result of the fall, but the man has a major responsibility to grow in wisdom. (So guys start right now...)

The husband is the head, “as Christ also is the head of the Church (v. 23b).” The husband's leadership is meant to reflect Christ's loving authority.

Paul adds that Christ is “the Savior of the body (v. 23c).” Jesus uses His authority to rescue, protect, and provide for His church. In the exact same way, a husband must dedicate his life to protecting and comforting his spouse.

When a husband carries out that protection, a Christian wife can gladly choose to fulfill her role with true cheerfulness, loyalty, and humility “in everything (v. 24b)” that aligns with devotion to God.

The Loyalty Of A Husband (v.25-33)

Ephesians 5:25 NASB95

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,

Ephesians 5:26–27 NASB95

26so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.

Ephesians 5:28–29 NASB95

28So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church,

Ephesians 5:30–31 NASB95

30because we are members of His body. 31For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.

Ephesians 5:32–33 NASB95

32This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.

Next, Paul outlines the role of husbands: “love your wives (v. 25a).” Notice that while the women get two and a half verses, the men get a full ten verses! Without love, a man will misuse his position of leadership. Paul commands husbands to use a pure, selfless, sacrificial love, modeled directly after Christ.

Jesus gave the absolute proof of that love when He “gave Himself up for her (v. 25b)” on the cross. Neither side has a right to complain; the massive love required from the husband perfectly balances the cooperation requested from the wife.

Christ died for the church “so that He might sanctify her (v. 26a),” which means to set her apart as His special possession.

He cleanses her “by the washing of water with the word (v. 26b).” This alludes to an ancient Jewish bride’s meticulous prenuptial bath (mikveh) before her wedding. She would scrub away all dirt, loose hair, and dead skin so that when she went into the pool, she would transition from defilement to being completely clean and pure. Spiritually, Christ cleanses us from the guilt of sin through the Gospel, preparing the Church as His pure bride.

His ultimate goal is to “present to Himself (v. 27a)” a bride “in all her glory (v. 27b),” completely perfect, “having no spot or wrinkle (v. 27c).” Spots are outward defilements from the world, and wrinkles are signs of internal decay.

Christ uses His Word to wash those away so the church is “holy and blameless (v. 27d).” God's ultimate purpose in making us holy right now is to fully glorify us later.

Because a husband and wife are legally and relationally fused into a single entity, Paul argues that “husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies (v. 28a).”

To love your wife is literally to love yourself. “For no one ever hated his own flesh (v. 29a).” A person in their right mind doesn't hate his own body; he “nourishes and cherishes it (v. 29b),” providing it with food (pastrami chili cheese fries, carne asada), clothing, and tender care.

That is exactly “just as Christ also does the church (v. 29c),” feeding and supplying our souls because “we are members of His body (v. 30).”

To cement this truth, Paul quotes the foundational creation law from:

Genesis 2:24 NASB95

For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.

“FOR THIS REASON a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh (v. 31c).” Marriage doesn't erase your relationship with your parents, but it completely changes your priorities. The marriage bond is unbreakable, glued together in a holy covenant.

Paul explains that marriage holds a “great mystery (v. 32a).” In Scripture, a mystery is a profound truth that was hidden in the past but is now revealed. The layout of marriage is a beautiful, living picture of how the Messiah sacrificed Himself to win His bride, the church.

Paul concludes with a summary (v.33). The husband must love his wife as his very self, with a powerful, protective affection. The wife must see that she deeply respects her husband.

Walking in the loyalty of Christ means realizing that Jesus is completely loyal to you. He doesn't abandon you; He nourishes you and loves you all the way to glory. When we walk in this loyalty, our earthly relationships will naturally reflect the beautiful layout of heaven.

In this chapter Paul outlines three specific walks to follow:

1. Walk In The Love Of Christ (v.1–2)

2. Walk In The Light Of Christ (v.3–21)

3. Walk In The Loyalty Of Christ (v.22–33)

Message over!

"The Art Of Imitating God" | Ephesians 5