Good morning -
We imitate those whom we respect. I often think that I'm a composite of people I've admired because I've imitated certain traits and qualities in them.
None are better at imitating than children. Its been said that children imitate their parents in spite of parents' best efforts to teach them otherwise. Children aren't terribly discerning; they imitate both good and bad qualities in their parents.
As children of God, we are encouraged to imitate our Father: "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children" (Ephesians 5:1)
To imitate our Father is to walk the walk of love, as is modeled by the sacrificial life of Jesus our Lord (Ephesians 5:2). To imitate God means, out of necessity, that certain qualities will be absent from our lives:
"But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience." (Ephesians 5:3-6)
It is interesting that thankfulness is named as the remedy for "anti-God" qualities in our lives. Is it possible that we indulge our sinful nature because of a lack of thankfulness? Perhaps we are most prone to sinful behavior when we take God's grace through Christ for granted.
The war within us is unceasing. That which we once were has a strong pull and is always in conflict with the Spirit nature within. Although the war is ultimately won so long as we remain in Christ, there are daily battles that are won and lost. The key is to "walk as children of Light ... trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord." (Ephesians 5:9-10)
Amidst everything we say, we ultimately are what we DO. It is inescapable; we walk in a particular direction. We either walk the world's path or the Lord's.
May the Lord's path be especially appealing today as you seek to discover that which pleases Him.
Pastor Steve
We imitate those whom we respect. I often think that I'm a composite of people I've admired because I've imitated certain traits and qualities in them.
None are better at imitating than children. Its been said that children imitate their parents in spite of parents' best efforts to teach them otherwise. Children aren't terribly discerning; they imitate both good and bad qualities in their parents.
As children of God, we are encouraged to imitate our Father: "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children" (Ephesians 5:1)
To imitate our Father is to walk the walk of love, as is modeled by the sacrificial life of Jesus our Lord (Ephesians 5:2). To imitate God means, out of necessity, that certain qualities will be absent from our lives:
"But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience." (Ephesians 5:3-6)
It is interesting that thankfulness is named as the remedy for "anti-God" qualities in our lives. Is it possible that we indulge our sinful nature because of a lack of thankfulness? Perhaps we are most prone to sinful behavior when we take God's grace through Christ for granted.
The war within us is unceasing. That which we once were has a strong pull and is always in conflict with the Spirit nature within. Although the war is ultimately won so long as we remain in Christ, there are daily battles that are won and lost. The key is to "walk as children of Light ... trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord." (Ephesians 5:9-10)
Amidst everything we say, we ultimately are what we DO. It is inescapable; we walk in a particular direction. We either walk the world's path or the Lord's.
May the Lord's path be especially appealing today as you seek to discover that which pleases Him.
Pastor Steve
posted by steve @ 9:29 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home