Have you ever thought about the fact -- that you are the very best Christian somebody knows?

No matter how strong -- or weak -- you may be in your Christian faith -- someone is watching you -- & you are their best example -- maybe their only example -- of what being a Christian is all about.

You may be totally unaware that they are watching you.

You may not feel very worthy of their observance.

Still -- they are watching you -- & all they know about what it is like to be a Christian is by what they see in your life -- however good or bad that may be!

The question is -- what kind of an example are you?

Do you portray Christ-likeness -- or do you portray ungodliness?

How well do you represent Jesus Christ to those who are watching you?

Or a more important question may be -- how can I do a better job of reflecting the life of Christ to others who may be watching me?

In the NT letter of Ephesians, chapters 4 & 5 -- we are urged to live a life worthy of our high calling.

In Chapter 4:17-24 -- the Apostle Paul exhorts us to put away the old life -- the old self -- & to put on the new life -- the new self.

Beginning in Eph. 4:25 & continuing through 5:2 -- Paul gives a list of directives. -- He lists some vices to avoid -- & some virtues to apply to our new life in Christ. -- (Read Scripture -- Eph. 4:25-5:2)

In 5:1 -- “Be ye therefore followers of God” -- that word “followers” is a much stronger word in others versions than it is in the KJV.

“Be imitators of God” -- is how the NIV puts it.

“Imitate God in everything you do, because you are his children” (NLT).

When I think about our being “imitators” of our Heavenly Father -- I’m reminded of that TV commercial where the little girl & her father are setting on the coach -- already to enjoy a peanut better sandwich.

The father folds his sandwich over -- & his daughter asks -- “why do you do that?” -- To which the father says, “I guess it’s because that’s the way my dad did it, & I always wanted to do everything just like he did.”

The girl replies -- “That’s silly” -- & then she turns her back & folds her sandwich over -- & the father smiles.

“You are God’s children whom He loves -- so try to be like Him” (NCV).

“Be imitators of God” -- An imitator is someone who follows the pattern & the will of God -- in Whose image we were made.

He becomes our model & example in righteous living. -- As His obedient children -- we want to be like God; -- to mimic His example -- since He is our Heavenly Father.

The word “therefore” in 5:1 -- connects this verse with the preceding chapter -- especially verses 31-32 in chapter 4.

These last two verses of chapter 4 are in sharp contrast -- one with the other: -- “Let all bitterness, & wrath, & anger, & clamor, & evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: -- And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.”

The cluster of evil characteristics given in vs. 31 -- are descriptive of the old nature -- while those in vr. 32 depict the new nature.

Verse 31 supplies a word-picture of a landlord expelling six undesirable tenants!

Bitterness -- wrath -- anger -- clamor -- evil speaking -- & malice are vicious characters which must be evicted from our heart in order for the fullness of Christ to be able to dwell freely in our hearts.

When I went to pastor in Brown County, IN -- I was told that the church had bought property a mile east of town for the purpose of relocating.

The land they had bought had a couple old run down cottages on it that at one time been used by tourist coming to see those beautiful Brown County tree covered hills & the Fall colors.

The cottages had been rented out -- but the renters had not paid any rent in the two years since the church had bought the property.

The church board asked me if I would go collect their back rent -- or tell them they had to move.

I declined! -- Suggesting they ask a local realtor to be their agency -- to collect rent & deal with the renters.

They did! -- There were still no results. -- Those people remained in our cottages without paying anything toward the rent.

We had plans drawn up for our new building; -- secured a contractor; -- the cottages would have to be torn down to make room for the new church building.

We asked the non-paying renters to move -- so we could get on with our work; -- we even gave them a month’s notice. -- They didn’t leave.

We finally brought in a bull-dozer -- parked it right next to the cottages -- & let it run all day while we staked off the site of the new building -- & informed the renters (who had never paid any rent) -- that on Monday morning the buildings would be bull-dozed over!

Monday morning they were gone -- & told people all around town that we had evicted them without cause & without notice.

Furthermore -- once we went into those cottages -- garbage bags were stacked from the floor to the ceilings; -- Oh, what a mess!

The moral of the story is this: -- we had to evict (cast out -- get rid of) the undesirable characters before we could make room for the Sanctuary of God.

Likewise in our spiritual lives: -- bitterness -- wrath -- anger -- clamor -- evil speaking -- & malice are vicious characters which must be evicted from our heart in order for the fullness of Christ to be able to dwell freely in our hearts.

My friends -- evict them; -- cast them out; -- kick them out; -- rid yourself of them; -- expel them -- get rid of them!

Only then can you begin to enjoy the fullness of Christ’s presence in your heart & life!

Now that we have evicted those vicious characters of -- bitterness -- wrath -- anger -- clamor -- evil speaking & malice -- we can move forward in becoming true imitators of God.

We should treat others in the same manner that God has treated us -- with kindness -- tender-heartedness -- & forgiveness.

The Christian life has both a vertical -- & a horizontal -- dimension!

Here we touch the very heart of Christian experience -- namely, the attitude & conduct of God!

We cannot copy the essence -- or activity of God -- such as His work as Creator -- or Redeemer -- or His Trinity -- but through power & the presence of Jesus Christ -- God’s Son -- in our lives -- we can become examples of Christ -- by being kind one to another -- tenderhearted -- forgiving one another (cf 4:32).

These are all qualities of Christ-likeness -- & oh, how the world needs such a spirit; -- in the home; -- in the workplace; -- in our schools -- & even in our churches!

Remember -- the only Christ some people may ever see -- is what they see in you -- & in me.

Verse 32 gives us three examples of Christ-likeness:

1. We Must Imitate Christ’s Kindness!

Kindness is a rear quality in our world today!

Kindness is the ability to show understanding -- sympathy & tolerance.

It is one of the fruits of the spirit listed in Galatians 5:22.

Jesus taught kindness as He dealt with children. -- The disciples rebuked Jesus because He was taking so much time with children. -- But Jesus showed His kindness to children by taking them upon His lap & saying -- “Let the little children come to me -- & do not hinder them -- for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matt. 19:14 NIV).

Jesus taught us to be kind -- even to our enemies -- when He said: -- “love your enemies -- do good to them -- & lend to them without expecting to get anything back. -- Then your reward will be great, & you will be sons of the Most High -- because He is kind to the ungrateful & wicked” (Luke 6:35).

The Apostle Paul said -- “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy & dearly loved -- clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness & patience” (Col. 3:12).

We are to put on kindness as we would a garment!

Kindness is Christianity in working clothes!

Kindness is just plan Christian courtesy!

My friends -- a little kindness can make a big difference!

Small & seemingly unimportant acts of kindness -- can lift the spirit of people who are often lonely -- brokenhearted -- & discouraged.

Because of the coldness & indifference of so many people today -- it’s especially refreshing when we hear of someone who shows kindness toward others.

Too often in this busy world of ours -- so many people hurry on their way with little regard for those around them.

Many years ago the Christian Herald carried this story: --

On a cold Sunday morning in February -- a gentleman was hastily walking along through the snow.

Suddenly he noticed a bright-looking little boy standing on the sidewalk with his cap in his hand -- & his eyes fixed on one spot on the pavement.

As the man approached -- the lad looked up at him -- pointed to the spot -- & said: -- “Please don’t step there, sir. -- That’s where I slipped & fell down.”

What a different world this would be -- if all Christians were as thoughtful as that small lad in warning others against dangers -- whether temporal -- or spiritual.

A small crippled boy was hurrying to catch a commuter train.

Carrying some gift packages under his arm -- he was experiencing great difficulty in manipulating his crutches.

As the people rushed by -- someone accidentally bumped into him -- knocking the brightly wrapped packages in all directions.

The man who caused the mishap stopped only long enough to scold the youngster for being so clumsy -- & getting in his way.

Another gentleman -- seeing the boy’s distress -- went to his aid.

He quickly picked up the scattered packages & slipped a $10 bill into the youngster’s pocket -- saying: “I’m sorry, Sonny! -- I hope this makes up a little for your trouble.” -- And with a smile -- he went on his way.

The child who had seldom been shown such kindness -- called after him in gratitude -- “Mister -- please sir, are you Jesus?”

“No” -- replied his new-found friend -- “but I am one of His followers.”

My friends -- the people whose lives we touch all around us need to see the Lord in our acts of kindness & loving concern.

If you are unkind -- you are wrong!

2. We Must Imitate Christ’s Compassion!

The word in our Scripture -- “tenderhearted” -- is a more intense word than “kindness.” -- It means to be full of deep affection & compassion.

Compassion is that ability to share in the suffering of others.

The Bible tells us that when Jesus “saw the crowds -- He was moved with compassion on them -- because they were harassed & helpless -- like sheep without a shepherd” (Matt. 9:36 NIV).

Christ’s compassion was illustrated at the tomb of Lazarus -- when He openly wept with Lazarus’ family.

So genuine was His compassion that even the Jews said: -- “See how He loved him!” (John 11:35-36).

Jesus was certainly tender-hearted -- & we are to follow His steps!

Abraham Lincoln once said: -- “I am sorry for the man who can’t feel the whip when it is laid on the other man’s back.”

Speaking of Abraham Lincoln, despite his busy schedule during the Civil War, Lincoln would often visit the hospitals to help cheer the wounded soldiers.

On one occasion Lincoln saw a young fellow who was near death.

The compassionate President asked -- “Is there anything I can do for you?” -- “Oh please, sir, write a letter to my mother” -- came the reply.

Unrecognized by the soldier -- the Chief Executive sat down & wrote as the young man told him what to say.

The letter read -- “My Dearest Mother -- I was badly hurt while doing my duty -- & I won’t recover. -- Don’t sorrow too much for me. -- May God bless you & Father. -- Kiss Mary & John for me.”

The wounded soldier was too weak to go on -- so Lincoln signed the letter for him -- & then added this postscript: -- “Written for your son by Abraham Lincoln.”

Asking to see the note -- the soldier was astonished to discover who it was that had shown him such kindness & compassion.

He asked: -- “Are you really our President?”

The quiet answer was “Yes. -- Now is there anything else I can do?”

The feeble lad replied -- “Will you please hold my hand? -- I think it would help to see me through to the end.”

The tall, gaunt man granted his request -- offering warm words of encouragement until death stole in with the dawn.

Compassion is one of the most powerful tools in the Christian’s kit of virtues.

We cannot always do exceptional deeds -- but there are thousands of small, tenderhearted acts we can perform -- which will help others -- & at the same time bring glory to God.

Tenderhearted compassion is the language the deaf can hear -- & the blind can see.

Churches filled with compassionate people are an oasis in the desert -- a hospital near a battlefield -- a rescue mission in the ghettos -- a light in the darkness -- a signpost pointing to better things!

Overflowing compassion is a refreshing rain falling upon the parched soil of human hearts -- & is certainly Christ-likeness!

3. We Must Imitate Christ’s Forgiveness!

Jesus taught us about forgiveness in His model Lord’s Prayer -- “forgive us our trespasses (sins) -- as we forgive those who sin against us.”

Every phrase in that model prayer is worthy of a sermon in itself; -- yet Jesus only emphasized this one phrase -- by saying: “If you forgive men when they sin against you -- your heavenly Father will also forgive you. -- But if you do not forgiven men their sins -- your Father will not forgive your sins”