The Apostle Paul encourages us to imitate God by walking in love for the sake of Jesus Christ. What is the foremost expression of such a way of life? Gratitude.
Thus the command to imitate is not merely legalism. It is not just a command, or a cosmic guilt trip, a parent shaming her child, “Why can’t you be more like your brother?”
This is the loving guidance of the self-giving God, who became human to give himself for you and now indwells you with his spirit so that you can be like him. The imitation of God is the clear and gentle guidance given to those who have gained everything in Christ. He is holy, he is good, and he is loving, and you have been made like him in your faith. You have nothing to lose. There is no finger-wagging in this call.
The call to imitate God is born out of love and a restored relationship, reminding us that we are not alone and lost on an empty highway, but we are at home in the world because we are reconciled with the Creator.
Listen to it here.