THE BEST IMITATION

EPH. 5:1-17

Pastor Rick Jackson

On the old Andy Griffith show Goober Pyle was under the impression he did a perfect imitation of Cary Grant. The humor was of course in that he did not do it very well. You may or may not be able to do many imitations but if you are a Christian the Eph. 5:1 says there is one imitation you should do, and you should work on it until you have it down perfectly. The word “follower” is mimetes, mim-ay-tace'; an imitator:--follower.
Oh, if you will notice many of the famous imitators you soon learn it’s not just the voice, it’s the mannerisms, sometimes- it’s even the walk. [John Wayne, Jack Benny, Groucho Marx, John Rambo, Hercule Poirot, Boris Karloff, etc.]

I. WALK IN LOVE [4:31-5:2]

1. The Example of God [4:31-32]

2. The Example of Children [5:1]

3. The Example of Christ [5:2, 1 Peter 2:21]

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

II. WALK AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT [5:3-8]

1. Avoid Dark Acts [v. 3]

2. Avoid Dark Speech [v. 4]

3. Avoid Dark Companions [v. 5-8]

III. WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY [v. 9-17]

1. A Separated Walk [v. 9-12]

2. A Shining Walk [v. 13-14, I Jn. 1:5-7]

“That is what is needed. Just turn on the light and it will show up everything that is contrary to it. In other words, you live the pure, holy, Christlike, godly, devoted life, and that in itself will be reproof enough of the iniquity abounding upon every hand.” - H. A. Ironside

3. A Wise Walk [v. 15-17]