Lord's Day Devotion - Imitating God

 Children like to micmic other children to the point of being irritating to each other.  If they imitate their parents in trying to sweep the floor with a broom three sizes too big for them, or clatter along in their Mom's high-heeled shoes, it's amusing.  The imitating of good things is a good thing.

An especially good, good thing is to imitate God.  Paul told the Ephesians to do just that.  He said,

"Be imitators of God...live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV).

God so loved us that He sacrificed His One and Only son Jesus for the redemption of our souls.  He gave.  He gave out of love and this is what we, as His children, need to imitate.

This godly virtue will cause us to be compassionate, gentle, tell the truth, have patience and self-control and so much more as we relate with one another.  It will propel and compel us to love others over and above ourselves.  We will go with God's desires and interests and not our own.  In so doing, we show God's love in action to others.

Furthermore, imitating God and His love for us, we will be better listeners, more generous with our time, effort and assets, do acts of kindness - not randomly but at every opportunity presented to us; we will pray more consistantly and earnestly for others in humility and sincerity.

I like to imagine God our Heavenly Father looking on from Heaven above, with an amused smile on His face.  He's nodding His head in satisfaction and saying, "Hmmm...good 'boy' or good 'girl'.  Maybe a little clumsy but they got the right idea.  That's my son, or that's my daughter," He calls to the angels, pointing it out.

This is what we as children of God do ... imitate our Heavenly Father God.  The more we imitate the better we'll get the hang of it.  Let us give God the best possible sacrifice and offering He deserves.

Think on all of that this Lord's Day as we gather together with our brothers and sisters-in-Christ. to remember the sacrifice Jesus offered on our behalf.  He offered Himself.  He offered Himself to redeem us for God, His Father.  Out of love and compassion, He shed His blood upon that cruel cross of shame...for you...for me...for the whosoever.  This is something truly remarkable to imitate.

Give thanks with a grateful heart as you pass the broken bread and partake of it.  Think of our Savior's sacrifice as you then pass the cup of wine one to another.  

Will you be a mature imitator of God?

                                                   ~ERC January 2023~

Based on Ephesians 5:1-2; John 3:16 NIV.

Sing, Remember Me. (Hillsong)