Be Imitators of God
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2
Every Christian should live to be imitators of God by following the example of Jesus. God is molding us to the mind and heart of Jesus, and Christ is guiding us to reflect Jesus to the world. As we follow the Spirit we will become more like Jesus, and as we minister to people our hearts will be filled with God’s unconditional love.
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, (Romans 8:29) We are predestined to conform to the image of his Son, if we strive to be like Jesus and we pray for the Lord’s guidance to make us like Jesus. We read about the life of Jesus in the four Gospels, and we note his travels, his words, and his heart; and the more we understand Jesus from the Gospels, the more we can imitate him in every circumstance.
Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16) Our minds rewire based on our thoughts, and if our thoughts are on the Word, prayer, and helping others, then our brains will rewire to the ways of God. However, if our thoughts are on things of the world, then our mind will never renew. Our mind is renewed based on new thoughts and stop thinking old thoughts, and we do this by see everything in the world through the Spirit.
How can we ever be imitators of God without the mind of Christ? Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:22) The Word is valuable to us only if we do what it says. Christ will guide us through the Word and the Holy Spirit, to give us the mind and heart of Jesus. It’s important to obey the Word, otherwise the Word will never go to our hearts, and this is critical because we live out of our hearts, and God listens to our hearts. We have to pray and obey the Word, so God can change us to conform to the image of his Son.
When we live like Jesus, we will live the life we are created to live, and it is the best life we can live on this planet. We overcome the world, we are free in Christ, and we live life to the full. Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4) It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10) Take a few minutes and think what it is like to overcome the sinful world, to be free in Christ, and living life to the full.
Today do your best to live with the mind and heart of Jesus, and pray for the Lord’s guidance in every step today. We must have the desire to be like Jesus, for the Lord to mold us to be like Jesus. God works powerfully in people that are striving to achieve his divine will.
Prayer: Lord guide me in the Spirit and in your Word, to become more like Jesus every day that I live on this earth. In Jesus name, Amen