Imitators of God

Paul sets a high standard for us in Ephesians 5.1. We are to be imitators of God. From Eph 4.32, we understand that he means that we are to imitate God's kindness and forgiveness, as demonstrated in his forgiveness of us in Christ. Who cannot find it in his heart to forgive when he understands that God has forgiven us for our sin and rebellion? It is easy to imitate our Father when we fully understand how much that he loves us.

As Chrysostom wrote: Not all children imitate their father, but those who know themselves to be beloved act like “beloved children".