IMITATORS OF GOD
Ephesians 5.1
1. "Therefore, be imitators of GOD as beloved children,"
It seems like very simple statement, but it contains a lot. Indeed, if you are a true Christian, you should live your life exactly as Christ lived His Life. It means strictly follow His Teachings and His Statutes, teach the Gospel to all who are able and willing to listen, and do Good Deeds as Christ did when He was among His people.
At first it seems like it is not so hard, but in reality, extremely difficult. Consumed by our everyday chores and vanity, we often forgetting the Christ. Even in our worship of GOD we are bombarded by all sorts of false teachings, false doctrines, false prophesies, false knowledge, and false traditions, temptations, and the lure and enticement of those who do not serve GOD but serve the Devil, they are the false Christians.
For this reason, Paul again warned us in following verses (2-13.15-18.21) to be on constant alert against all the immorality and impurity among the members of the church and to stay guard against everything that is not consistent with the Word of GOD. Doing this we will be able to please GOD (10) with our dedication and faithfulness to Him, with wise behavior, and proper learning and understanding of His Teachings and His will (17).
"The days are evil," (KSB) in verse 16 indicates the shortage and unpredictable nature of our life which is full of treachery and unexpected danger, not knowing then it will end. So, we have to live our life wisely (15), cherish every minute of it, and spend it wisely in productivity, efficiency, and practicality Doing Good in the Name of the Lord.
We shall have unity in our minds, in our faith, in our worship and service of GOD, and the most important of all treat one another as a family with humbleness and respect "in the FEAR of Christ." (21). This statement of Paul reflects many other statements written in the Bible where the FEAR of GOD plays the most important part in relationship with GOD and considered as wisdom and prudence of all those who have genuine FEAR of the Lord.
Unfortunately, not all Christians agreed with this statement and completely ignore many other passages there is the FEAR of the Lord indicated as the essential part of every true believer in GOD.
Some argued and saying that we shall not FEAR GOD according to certain statement that said, "There is no Fear in Love..." (1John 4.18) and according to some other similar verses, but they miss one important point, only if you have true Love for GOD, then you have no Fear of Him, because in true Love you do not sin, and so, have no Fear of Punishment.
But because we are all sinners and love only ourselves despite the fact that we have the Word of GOD in our hands and have some knowledge of His Statutes and Commandments, we are still very far from the true Love for GOD, and because of it we must have FEAR of GOD all the time, in the church and outside the church, in order to remember that we are under constant watch of our Lord and shall remember that He leaves no one unpunished. We are not perfect in our love for GOD and must live our lives with Fear of One Who forgives, but does not leave unpunished anyone, even most dear to Him souls.
THE FAMILY
Ephesians 5.22-33
In these verses Paul describes the relationship between husband and wife but not as ordinary, but us under the Christ. Paul compared here Christ as the Husband of the church - his wife. This example is given as of the earthly husband who is the head (authority) of his wife and his family.
This is not the first time Paul touches this subject, because Paul believes that the traditional hierarchy in the family that GOD established on Earth in which the earthly husband has authority over his wife and his family, and so in the same way the church - the wife and the family of GOD must be obedient to the her Head-Authority Husband Jesus Christ.
Such comparison between GOD as the Husband and His people Israel as His wife quite common in the Old Testament and reflect fidelity of the true union of love between GOD and His people Israel, just like between ordinary husband and his wife.
The same rule applies and to Christians. As the wife of GOD, the church must be faithful and obedient to her Husband Christ, and so the between Christians is the union under GOD, and divorce has no place in it, except for those who live in this world without GOD.
See related theme in: (Ephesians 5.21-33) (Titus 2.3-5) (Colossians 3.18-19) (1Peter 3.1-7).