Perhaps, like me, you fight the exhausting cycle of spiritual inconsistency—devoted and praying like Paul one week, and then sinking in the water like Peter the next. The struggle is real! But there is one sure-fire way to create more consistency, and that is to… remember to be who you are in Jesus. The Bible reminds us:
“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” Ephesians 5:1–2
Consistent living happens when we become who we ALREADY ARE—in Jesus.
When this scripture commands us to “be imitators of God,” it isn’t asking us to fake holiness or spiritual maturity. We are being reminded to GROW into what we are ALREADY born to be. When we are born again, we are born into the family of God; thus, we are already qualified to imitate Him. God is a good Father. Jesus was our example on earth. He does not push us to be anything or anyone except who He made us to be in Him. We can rest in that. But we must remember that we are no longer children of darkness; thus, we need to be walking in light in ALL areas of our life.
Sin deceives the mind and steals the awareness of our true identity in Christ.
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” Ephesians 5:8-11
Children imitate the parents they love, and we, as born again believers, should imitate Jesus who redeemed us instead of the father of lies who enslaves us!
We are all at different levels in our walk with God. And keep in mind that someone who is NOT born again, CANNOT become more like God.
Napoleon Bonaparte came from nothing and was determined to build a dynasty and hold onto it, and so, he elevated his seven siblings and titled them kings, queens, dukes, and princes. Yet, when they failed him repeatedly, Napoleon famously said: “I made them kings, and they behave like shoe-makers.” Bonaparte tried to create new people by giving them titles, but titles could not change their character. He could give them crowns, but he could not give them the nature necessary to wear the crown.
By contrast, God does not give us titles—He gives us a new nature and a new heart—His!
When we are born again, we are “new creatures in Christ.” God doesn’t remake our old identity; He replaces it with His identity. Thus, the command to “imitate God” is not a burden—it’s a birthright. We can imitate Christ, because His nature now lives in us. This is what enables us to live in His command to be holy:
“But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’” 1 Peter 1:15–16
Sanctification isn’t something we manufacture by mere human effort; it’s something we practice because our soul and spirit are now “in Christ,” who IS holy. And this brings us to a second very important point—when we are imitating Christ, we NEVER NEED to measure ourselves against each other!!!
Many of us fall into the misery of comparing ourselves with others. It’s easy to fall into the unhealthy rut of comparing accomplishments, friend circles, looks, families, occupation and even spiritual accomplishments! But 2 Corinthians 10:12 warns us that this is foolish:
“For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves… but they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are NOT wise.”
Comparison is a two-edged sword of self-destruction:
If we compare ourselves with others, we either—become proud or—feel inadequate. Christ is our gold standard.
Neither is good. The Corinthians thought highly of themselves because they compared themselves only with people who were spiritually immature, shallow, and flesh-driven. We must allow the Holy Spirit to measure us by the Word of God because He measures on His scale. The closer we come to God, the less room we have for self-exaltation, and the more clearly we see our desperate need for Him. For anyone who is serving God: Stop comparing, stop competing, stop measuring success by outward appearance. Comparison simply breeds pride on one side and discouragement on the other.
Our standard is not “them;” our standard is Jesus Christ.
When we compare ourselves with the life of Christ, we are using the gold standard. We are free to treat others better than we knew we could. How we forgive, express purity, patience, humility, and love—reflects God’s treatment of us instead of a reaction to the behavior of those around us. This is why Paul links Ephesians 5:1 to what he said in the previous verse:
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
When the life of Jesus becomes our standard, He empowers us to treat others with HIS mercy, HIS forgiveness, and HIS love. This is how we grow into what Paul described earlier as “a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13
Becoming who we are in Jesus means our identity determines our conduct—not our conduct determining our identity.
We don’t live holy to earn sonship—we live holy because the spiritual part of us already is. We imitate God—not to prove our worth—but because His nature lives in us.
Today, remember this: You are a dearly loved child of God. So…think like one, talk like one, act like one; and forgive, serve, and love like a fully beloved child of God.
Be who you are in Jesus, and you will live free.
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8
“You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.” 1 Thessalonians 5:5
Prayer:
Father, thank You that in Christ I am Your beloved child. Help me live today from that identity. Make my life a spring of fresh water. Teach me to imitate You in my conduct, having—Your kindness, Your holiness, Your forgiveness, and Your love. Guard me from comparing myself to others, and help me measure my life by the character and nature of Christ alone. Fill me with Your Spirit so that my reactions, thoughts, and choices reflect who I am in Jesus. Let my life today display You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
