Be imitators of God
Ephesians 5
5 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
“Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
As a little girl I remember trying to imitate my mother and my aunts. I tried to walk like they walked, I tried to mimic their singing, and occasionally I would do what every little girl loves to do—try on their jewelry. Why was I eager to imitate them? Because I loved them.
Today’s scripture tells us we are to imitate God, and of course the way we imitate God is to live and love like Jesus. Why? Because we love God, and because we are His children. Paul goes on to tell the Ephesians, and us, that we should keep ourselves so pure there will not be a hint of immorality, impurity or greed. Even a hint. And Paul goes so far as to tell us not to associate with those who have these characteristics. This is tough talk, but the Christian walk is a tough walk!
The darkness of sin is something from which the disciple should be completely severed. There should be no longing for anything that would make us fall off of the pathway to holiness. The problem today is that the defining line between the church and the world has become so small that at times it is barely discernable.
In your Sunday School do you study the Word, taking it apart, chewing on it, getting a complete understanding of God’s will, or does your study consist of self-help books and books about keeping our planet green? Does your pastor not only encourage you from the pulpit but exhort you to live a holy life, or have platitudes and “feel good” sermons replaced those that remind you of your duties as a disciple?
Be imitators of God, dear children, and live a life of love.
PRAYER: Father, how do we so consistently miss the mark? I pray today that we would keep our eyes upon you, for it only then that we will be able to imitate you and leave the desires of this world behind. Amen.
Three Simple Rules
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Biblegateway.com by Zondervan, NIV
When I begin my morning, I read the daily scripture from Bible Gateway, I write a journal of what I have discovered during my reading and prayer time and publish it in this blog, and I pledge to follow John Wesley’s Three Simple Rules as best I can. What are the Three Simple Rules? Do no harm, do good, and attend to the ordinances of the church (Bible reading, prayer, communal meetings, worship, baptism and Holy Communion.)
When I read these passages, I see the Three Simple Rules. We do no harm when we do not repay evil with evil. We do good when we seek peace and pursue it. But why is it important to attend to the ordinances of the church? Can’t you serve God without being in an “organized religion?” The way we accomplish the first two rules is through grace. Paul said when he wanted to do good he could not, and what he did not want to do he found himself doing. The way we build up our faith is by attending to the ordinances.
When we attend church we are meeting with like-minded people with one singular goal—to worship God. When we read our Bible we are being informed by the message and formed by the Spirit into who we should be. When we pray, whether privately or communally, we are opening ourselves up, becoming vulnerable before God and man. Prayer does not change God, but it will change us.
When we participate in baptism we are following Jesus and when we eat at the Lord’s Table we are taken back 2000 years so that we do not just recall Christ’s sacrifice, it becomes real to us. When someone tells me they do not believe in organized religion, my first thought is, “So you want to be in a disorganized religion?” I think for many who say this they have simply made the choice to do other things on Sunday. But do they think to pray? What do they miss by not taking Communion? Do they set aside time to worship and praise God for who He is, or is that too organized for them? Today is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Prayer: Father, I pray that when we begin to think that we know more than you, that you would gently prod us into the right direction. Keep us on the pathway to holiness, for it is there we will find you. Amen
The grace that leads to godliness
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Aren’t we blessed that we have not only heard of the grace of God, but we experience it every day? Grace, the unmerited favor that God prepared for each one of us before we ever knew we needed it, is available to all. Too often today we see Christians who attend church only sporadically and then live out their lives as though God’s grace was only meant to provide salvation. But we see in these scriptures that not only does grace offer salvation but it teaches us and enables us to live godly lives.
Paul left Titus in Crete so that he might establish the church and teach the Cretans about godliness. The Cretans had such a poor reputation that even their own countrymen said they were lazy, gluttons and liars. Even today we occasionally hear
How is it that people who have received salvation fail to live changed lives? Some would say their salvation is not real. Others would say we are only human. I only know that I need grace every day in order to live my life in a godly manner. Do I always succeed? No. Do I keep striving to reach that goal of godliness? Yes. It is all grace.
PRAYER: Father,we pray that we would each measure our lives against the Scripture. May attaining godliness be the goal we seek and may we live according to your grace and mercy each and every day. Amen.
Because you love me
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
John 14:15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
When I was a child, my mother would tell me to do something and occasionally (probably more often than occasionally) I would ask why. “Because I said so,” she would reply. When our son was young, my husband would use the same reasoning. The last time I heard him say it our son was eighteen and in college. I said, “I don’t think you can use that as a reason for compliance anymore.”
In today’s scripture, Jesus does not tell us to follow Him because He said so, but because we love Him. What a difference between the two approaches. The first is authoritarian. But the second approach used by Jesus simply says, “If you love me…”
It is one thing to receive Jesus as our Savior. Salvation is a wonderful free gift. When I was a child it freed me from the fear of going to Hell when I die. Now that I am much older salvation means so much more. Salvation frees me not from the penalty of some future existence, but it frees me to accomplish God’s work while I am still on this earth.
Salvation is merely the beginning of our journey. Once the Holy Spirit resides within us, we should think differently, act differently, and our behavior should reflect the God who lives within us.
Does the Holy Spirit live within you? Then you should walk in peace. Does the Holy Spirit guide your footsteps? Then you should walk in love. Do you recognize the love and mercy and grace God continues to pour out in your life? Then you should pour out love and mercy and grace upon each and every person you meet.
Do not let your hearts be troubled. The same God who created you has created a clean spirit within you. The same God who created the world will keep your spirit safe from the snares of a world now smothered in sin. As the Bill Gaither song says, “Because He lives you can face tomorrow, and life is worth the living just because He lives.”
PRAYER: Father, help us your children to do as you have commanded, not because of fear of punishment but simply because we love you. Help us to remember that the Holy Spirit lives within each one of us and we are empowered to live as you would have us live, to love as you would have us love, and to change the world one step at a time, one Christ follower at a time. Amen
Seeking Holiness 