“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children…” Eph 5:1 (NIV)
How do you imitate someone you can’t see? Imitation is proportionate to self revelation. You can only imitate God at the level at which God is willing to reveal Himself. The wonderful news is that God has revealed Himself to us in nature, in the Bible, and in Jesus.
- “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Romans 1:20 (NIV)
- “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 (NIV)
- “Jesus answered: ‘Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”?'” John 14:9 (NIV)
So what is God like? Jesus! What is Jesus like? God! In fact, Jesus is God. To know Jesus is to know God. In order for us to imitate God, we must know Jesus.
- “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:8 (NIV)
- “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8:29 (NIV)
- “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.'” 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV)
Here’s a good start for you. Imitate God by loving others the way God has loved you. Imitate God by being conformed into the likeness of Christ. Imitate God by being holy in all you do.
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Pastor of Leadership and Pastoral Care