Imitators of God

God in Christ has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

But fornication and impurity of any kind, or greed, must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints. Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving. Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Ephesians 5:1-5

Has anyone ever called you a “chip off the old block?” It is usually a good thing. People should see God in Christ in you. And if that is the case, it would be good to be a “chip off the old block.”

This is exactly what Paul had in mind when he exhorted us to be “imitators of God.”

Remember, we are saved to bear the Family resemblance, to become increasingly more like Jesus and less like ourselves.

Every child of God

should have a growing likeness to the Father.

Our Daily Bread – August 16, 2008