PERSPECTIVE
Imitators of God: Ephesians Pt. III

“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called…” Ephesians 4:1(NASB)

“So that if any one is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old state of things has passed away; a new state of things has come into existence.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (WNT)

“Don’t allow love to turn into lust, setting off a downhill slide into sexual promiscuity, filthy practices, or bullying greed. Though some tongues just love the taste of gossip, those who follow Jesus have better uses for language than that. Don’t talk dirty or silly. That kind of talk doesn’t fit our style. Thanksgiving is our dialect. You can be sure that using people or religion or things just for what you can get out of them—the usual variations on idolatry—will get you nowhere, and certainly nowhere near the kingdom of Christ, the kingdom of God” Ephesians 5:3-5 (MSG)

You don’t start with DO or don’t do. You start with DONE. Because of what Jesus has already accomplished on the cross, you can BE and BECOME.

“Our lives are to be different now that we follow Christ. We were once in darkness, but now we are the light in the Lord. For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light – for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them…everything exposed by the light becomes visible” Ephesians 5:8-11, 13 (NRSV)

“But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy” Ephesians 4:20-24 (NLT)

“…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” Philippians 2:12, 13 (ESV)

“For by the one offering He has perfected forever and completely cleansed those who are being sanctified [bringing each believer to spiritual completion and maturity]” Hebrews 10:14 (AMP)

It’s all about…

PERSPECTIVE…