Leading the Way Through Ephesians by Michael Youssef

Author:Michael Youssef
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780736951630
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

Imitators of God

We all learn from role models. The world’s great artists all had role models, teachers, and mentors. They looked up to their role models and patterned their techniques after them. If you looked at a painting by Giovanni Bellini (1430–1516) and a painting by Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890), you would not see any similarity whatsoever in their styles and techniques. Yet there is an unbroken chain of influence from Bellini to van Gogh. Bellini strongly influenced his pupil Titian, who in turn was a major influence on Peter Paul Rubens. The paintings of Rubens heavily influenced Eugène Delacroix, and Delacroix was a major early influence on van Gogh.

Each of these painters developed a unique and individual approach to art, but all were influenced early in their careers by studying and imitating an artistic role model. This same principle is true in every endeavor, including the Christian life. That is why Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Like Paul, we should set a good example for other Christians to follow. And like Paul, we must remember that our ultimate role model is Jesus himself. In Ephesians, Paul writes:

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (5:1-2).

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