Notes of Faith June 3, 2026
Pastor’s Pen Pulpit
August 10, 2003
“BE IMITATORS OF GOD”
Ephesians 5:1-2
The Apostle Paul followed Jesus Christ wholly. This doesn’t mean that he was perfect – but it does mean that as much as any man could walk in Christ’s footsteps, Paul did. In I Corinthians 11:1 he exhorts us, “Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.” Wow! What a responsibility Paul took on himself!
Paul instructed the Ephesians to be imitators of God as dear children. How were they and we to imitate God? He tells us. As beloved children we are to walk in love, (having Christ as our example) - “and walk in love as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a sweet-smelling aroma.”
“Greater love has no man than this: that he lay down his life for his friends” Jesus said in John’s gospel. The greatest act of love that a man can demonstrate is to forfeit his life for another. Beloved, Jesus gave His life for a world that hated Him. Paul wrote in Romans that perhaps some would give up their life for a friend or a good man – but the Lord Jesus Christ gave His life for those who were neither good nor friends to Him. How can we imitate that supreme act of love? Very few will ever be called upon to give their life in death for another - however, every day we are called upon to give of ourselves to benefit others, believers and unbelievers alike. If we do this with the attitude of serving Jesus Christ, not expecting anything in return, we are imitating God. This is walking in love. This kind of “living for others” walk ascends to God as a sacrifice with a fragrant aroma. To do this, one has to be yielded to the Holy Spirit. In our fallen sinful human character, it is impossible to live a life which is pleasing to God.
This week’s challenge is to let the world of unbelievers – our next-door neighbor or the person we work with - see our sacrificial life. This will do more to promote evangelism than anything else. Peter writes in I Peter 3:15 “but sanctify (set apart) Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence”. God bless.
Love to you all,
Pastor Charles Covington
Rom 5:8
God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Humanity, for the most part, loves those who love them and hates those who hate them. This is not the expression of the love of God who IS love and loves even those who hate Him.
Matt 22:36-40
"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37 And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' 38 "This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' 40 "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."
Matt 5:43-48
You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.' 44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 "If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
It is very hard to imitate the love of God. Our pride and selfishness overflow in our attitudes, and actions, facial expressions and other body language. If we endeavor to be imitators of Christ we must ask the Holy Spirit within to rule over these sins of the old man and allow God’s love to flow from us as it did Jesus!
Work hard in self-discipline and self-control that you might be like Jesus today and always!
Pastor Dale