Be Now Imitators of Your Lord

Be now imitators of your Lord;
You’re His children through His love outpoured.
Let love show now in all you do,
As Christ loved and gave Himself for you,
As a sacrifice to God.

All impurity put far away.
Don’t be greedy; watch the things you say.
These aren’t proper for God’s dear children;
You will never gain the wealth of Heaven,
In the kingdom of Christ and God.

Don’t be taken in by empty words;
Those who disobey, God’s wrath incur.
You were darkness, but now you’re light;
Let your life be good and true and right,
And find out what pleases God.

Stay away from fruitless deeds,
Done in secret out of lust and greed.
Let Christ’s light shine on all that’s dark,
And expose what’s missed God’s mark.
Bring to light every sinful act.

So be careful in the things you do;
Act with wisdom in whate’er you pursue.
Make the most of every hour;
Don’t let evil exercise its power.
Be not foolish, but know God’s will.

Let the Spirit now your life control,
And let psalms and hymns flow from your soul.
In your heart, speak to God and sing,
Giving thanks for everything,
In the name of Jesus Christ.

Author: David L. Ward

Year: 2008

This is a modern metrical paraphrase of Ephesians 5:1-11 set to the tune of the Genevan Psalter (likely OLD 134TH or similar). David L. Ward is a contemporary hymnwriter who produces Scripture-based paraphrases; the style, wording, and website context (psalmer.org or similar) match his catalog. No traditional or historic attribution applies.