Ephesians 5:1

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

Ephesians 5:1

In chapter 4, Paul tells his readers not to live like the (unbelieving) Gentiles.  We are told to put off our old self and put on our new self.  Paul details a number of things we are to no longer do, like lie, and steal.  Chapter 4 ends with the instruction to "be kind to one another, tenderhearted, as God in Christ forgave you".  Chapter 5 begins with the word "Therefore".  Many parts leading up to the end of chapter 4 seems to tie in to this "therefore" at the beginning of chapter 5.  In particular, when Paul points to Christ's forgiveness at the very end of the chapter is quite fitting to how Paul begins chapter 5.  We are to no longer live like the Gentiles, putting off our old self and putting on our new self.  In particular, forgiveness is important, especially considering how we were forgiven.  This leads to the instruction for us to be imitators of God.  I guess it's natural that if we are to not be like unbelieving Gentiles, we should try to imitate God.  He has forgiven us and so we must forgive others.  This is part of the way in which we imitate God.  Why else are we to imitate God?  Verse 1 ends with "as beloved children".  NLT puts it this way, "Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children".  AMP puts it this way, "Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father];".  NLT seems to say that it is because we are his children that we are to imitate God.  AMP is very similar, perhaps highlighting the manner in which we are to imitate God (as well beloved children).  When we are to think about how we are to live, we are to imitate God.  When we think about how we are to imitate God, think about the way in which a child who is well loved imitates their father.  The child is not scorned or despised, so the child probably looks up to their father and admires him.  I think as children grow up, they tend to imitate their father-figures.  We know that God loves us, so it's not as if we have to try to fabricate the fact that we are well-loved children.  He loves us, and as his children, it is natural that we imitate him as it is natural that well-loved children imitate their parents.  Let us imitate him.