Eph.5:1] Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
[2] And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Today, the phrase ‘follow someone’ has taken on a variety of different new definitions. The intent to ‘follow’ someone on the internet for instance carries the meaning of a ‘staying up to date’ with their lifestyle, and with the content of their internet platform. But our Father desires that we be “followers” of Him as “dear children.” The Thessalonian Saints knew their “election of God,” they were “followers” of Paul and the faithful Brethren, and of the Lord. And being followers of the Lord Jesus and of Paul, they walked as “dear children” unto God, and unto Paul. And notice what Paul says in 1st Thessalonians 2:7, “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
[8] So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
Moreover, being ‘dear’ unto Paul and unto God, these Thessalonian Saints walked with the selfless desire to be in the likeness of Paul’s ensample, and to walk in Christ’s selflessness life in godliness. These Saints knew their “election of God,” they not knew their election, but they walked as “dear children” would walk unto those they too would count as dear unto them. Paul calls the Saints “beloved,” and they too counted the Lord Jesus Christ and Paul and the faithful Brethren beloved as well.
1st Thess.1:4] Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
[5] For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
[6] And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
And so, they walked in the identity of the Lord and Paul for godliness sake, they knew that their election of God would also have “affliction,” but this would mean they would be afflicted on the behalf of Christ and the Apostle Paul. They knew that when they became afflicted, it was because they were being looked upon as if these Thessalonian Saints WERE the Apostle Paul or the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. These Saints were being followers, and this meant they followed as a dear child would faithfully follow a father’s instruction and life.
1st Cor.4:16] Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
[17] For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
Therefore, we see Paul reminding the Saints to be followers of his ensample, and his life as he follows Christ. But notice also that he also reminds them of their “dear” relationship as a ‘father’ unto them. But not just unto them, but unto Timothy as well, Paul desires that they see Timothy and Paul’s example, and desire that type of fellowship in godliness as well. And Paul’s “ways which be in Christ” is what he desired they follow.
1st Cor.11:1] Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
[2] Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
Finally, our desire “in Christ” ought to be “followers of God as dear children,” not followers of today’s ‘internet influencers,’ and desiring to ‘know’ their lifestyle and their daily content they post on line. But today, ‘following someone’ caters to the lusts of the flesh, it manifests ‘ungodliness,’ as the Saints walk not after the likeness of Paul’s ensample and the Lord’s life, but the Saint are given unto himself a day by day update into the life of the people they follow, and not Christ. We ought to be as the Thessalonian Saints and ‘follow them,’ and the Apostle Paul, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and walk in love as “dear children.”
Phil.3:17] Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
2nd Thess.3:7] For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
2nd Thess.3:9] Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
Rod Jones
SUPPLY OF GRACE 
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