Isn’t it interesting how we almost unconsciously apply human models to the concepts we see in the Word of God.  We read something as simple as, “be a follower of God” and we visualize the stereotyped human leader marching forth somewhere with a multitude of others blindly following him wherever he might be going.  “Ours is not to reason why, but to do and die,” the saying goes.  This is not what is being said in Ephesians 5 and verse one.  God is not looking for or creating blind followers.  He is not cranking out preprogrammed robots that lack reasoning or understanding.  He has set out on a bold plan to replicate Himself.  He wants individuals who can attain the same levels of excellence that He has.  Clearly, we will finish this process at the moment we are changed to spirit beings, but God deeply desires for us to be heading in that sure direction as we work the Salvation Process.  Notice the commentaries.  Again, I will highlight using bright red and bold type, the key statements.

[Be ye therefore followers of God] Greek, "Be imitators-mimeetai (NT:3402)-of God." The idea is not that they were to be the friends of God, or numbered among his followers, but that they were to imitate him in the particular thing under consideration. The word "therefore"-oun (NT:3767)-connects this with the previous chapter, where he had been exhorting them to kindness, and to a spirit of forgiveness, and he here entreats them to imitate God, who was always kind and ready to forgive; compare Matt 5:44-47: As he forgives us (Eph 4:32–previous lesson), we should be ready to forgive others; as he has borne with our faults, we should bear with theirs; as he is ever ready to hear our cry when we ask for mercy, we should be ready to hear others when they desire to be forgiven; and as he is never weary with doing us good, we should never be weary in benefiting them.

[As dear children] The meaning is, "as those children which are beloved follow the example of a father, so we, who are beloved of God, should follow his example." What a simple rule this is! And how much contention and strife would be avoided if it were followed! If every Christian who is angry, unforgiving, and unkind, would just ask himself the question, "How does God treat me?" it would save all the trouble and heart-burning which ever exists in the church.  ~ Barnes
 

[Be ye therefore followers of God] The beginning of this chapter is properly a continuation of the preceding, which should have ended with the second verse of this. The word mimeetai (NT:3402), which we translate "followers", signifies such as personate others, assuming their gait, mode of speech, accent, carriage, etc.; and it is from this Greek word that we have the word mimic. Though this term is often used in a ludicrous sense, yet here it is to be understood in a very solemn and proper sense. Let your whole conduct be like that of your Lord; imitate him in all your actions, words, spirit, and inclinations; imitate him as children do their beloved parents, and remember that you stand in the relation of beloved children to him. It is natural for children to imitate their parents; it is their constant aim to learn of them, and to copy them in all things; whatever they see the parent do, whatever they hear him speak, that they endeavour to copy and imitate; yea, they go further, they insensibly copy the very tempers of their parents. If ye therefore be children of God, show this love to your heavenly Father, and imitate all his moral perfections, and acquire the mind that was in Jesus.  ~ Clarke

[Followers] Literally, imitators. As dear children. Just as little children learn to do things by imitating their parents, so we are to be imitators of God.  ~ Wycliffe

Related Resources:  Study on Mark 11:22 - Have the same faith God has
                                       Sermon: "Tell It to the Mountain"  Part 1 and Part 2

Lesson 23: Instructions – Follow God [imitate Him]
 
 1] Understand that God is replicating Himself.
 2] Imitate Him in the particular thing under your consideration (love, forgiveness, faith, excellence, service, honesty, etc.).
 3] In all things, invoke these three rules:

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