Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
(KJV, Ephesians 5:1  )

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The word “followers” translates from the Literal Translation of the Bible into “imitator”, or as the Message translation states (making it easier to understand):

Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. (MSG)

Basically, like children mimic and copy their parents, we are to imitate our Father. Do as He does, walk the way He walks, be like Him.

The best way to imitate God is to train ourselves in the Fruit of the Spirit. We can’t go wrong because those attributes ARE God. He is patient, He is Kind, He is Love, etc.

When  we were born again, saved, took Jesus as our Savior, the Fruit of the Spirit was deposited on the inside of us. One way to increase our ability to operate in the Fruit of the Spirit is to practice it constantly.

For instance, take the Fruit of Love. When someone insults you, take a breath and tell yourself you will walk in Love and not get offended. Grit your teeth if necessary. Walk away. Do not respond in anger. The more you yield to the Fruit of Love, the stronger it will grow.

Gloria Copeland just published an excellent book about Walking In the Fruit of the Spirit. It is easy to understand, helps you understand HOW to walk in the Fruit of the Spirit, and explains how important and vital it is.

I highly recommend you purchase this book, in hard copy or electronic version. It is well worth the money and it will change your life.

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Galatians 5:22-23 (LITV)  But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control. Against such things there is not a law

Ephesians 5:8-9  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)