Real Joy is Imitation

Ephesians 5:1-21

A lot of people have begun to personalize this tagline – fake it till you make it. While that may satisfy in the moment, forcing a smile on your face when you don’t want to is a very difficult way to live. Instead of living out of health, they try to manufacture it for show. Paul says that can’t be done. What’s on the inside will show on the outside – which is why how we live is so important.

Our calling from this book is becoming clear – we are to live in unity with each other through the power of God in us so that outsiders see us and come to Jesus. But, as we continue in the section that brings this down to ground-level action, we are reminded that if we are going to live in unity with each other and model it for those who are watching our lives, then it is up to us to actually live it out. We do that by imitating God.

Imitating God

When people see your interactions with others, is it hurtful and demanding, or compassionate and uplifting? This section shows a number of comparisons/contrasts that showcase behaviors that are God-honoring verses selfish. Paul brings them up to show how that evidences your allegiance to God. Our actions tell people everything. Catch this – Paul isn’t worried about what we say; only about what we do.

There have always been fake it until you make it type people. During the 80s and 90s, it was the mega-church, tv preachers who often had smiles on their faces and an affair in their homes. They all came crashing down and massively hurt the church at the same time. As Paul introduces his readers to the idea of how to imitate God – his first point is love (agape – explain) towards others. It is our actions that speak – not our words. Paul literally says here, “they will know we are Christians by our AGAPE”. If we are going to imitate God, then the formula is simple: first, love above all, then live rightly. Speaking first and harboring secrets doesn’t work.

Walking in the Light

Walking in the light means that we are to guard our steps to keep ourselves from those crashes and burns. We help ourselves and our believing friends to stay in the light by guarding each other – keeping sin from crouching at our door. This is when our words come into play – when one of our own is embracing the darkness. This doesn’t mean to embarrass, harass, gossip or shun, but by bringing the truth to light (think Matt 18) we help keep each other on the right path.

We are to guard our steps while helping each other on the journey. The road is difficult and is filled with pitfalls, so we need to be there for each other. By working together and encouraging each other, we all grow together in unity and show to the world that God does offer true life change. Let’s be clear – slip ups and mistakes are one thing, especially for newer believers – what we are to guard against are habits, attitudes, and secrets. Those are the truly destructive behaviors.

Letting It Show

There is a natural reaction to walking in the light – one that makes our spiritual growth a sight to see – JOY. A proper life spent imitating God and walking in the light will have natural effects on a person. Just like sunlight has an effect on your skin. Tans have an outward effect to make a person look more attractive, according to Psychology Today, and be responded to better in public. Healthy amounts of sunlight fills with us Vit D, energizes our skin and brightens our faces too. In other words, people see if we’ve been out in the sun and it makes us more desirable to be around. Jesus in us does that too, without the health risks!

If you are filled with the Spirit, imitating God with your actions and walking rightly in the light, then the HS will be bursting forth from you in joy and you will find yourself: 1) singing with others, 2) singing alone, 3) giving thanks, 4) lifting others up, which then increases even more the unity among each other! Paul laid it out simply – living a God imitating life leads us to effectiveness in our ministry, joy in our hearts and on our faces, and better unity among believers.

SO WHAT?

Choice is a must here again, but with God we have the power. Try these ideas this week to take those steps:

1. Make an act of kindness towards one non-believer friend this week.
2. Challenge yourself to watch your tongue this week and commit to only saying nice things about other people – any other people.
3. Bring your own sin struggles to light by opening up to a trusted friend or accountability partner.
   We can’t force joy by doing outward things – it comes from a vibrant relationship with God.

But like with the movie ELF, the best thing we can do is not show people they are wrong, but by singing loud for all to hear. Let the joy ring from your soul and enjoy being in the presence of God!