Imitate God

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. [Ephesians 4.31-5.2]

We are to imitate God.

What does God do?

Well, most importantly He forgives. He proved it through the Advent, Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus:

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [John 3.16]

Jesus not only proves God's love for us, but demonstrated for us how to live.

Here is something that I believe the Holy Spirit spoke to me today even before I read today's OYCB reading. Jesus specifically told us that we are to imitate God in telling us to do the works He (Jesus) did. But Jesus also cemented this fact for all history in His teaching on how to pray!

May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. [Matthew 6.10]

What is God's will in heaven? Well, He wants everyone to be saved and understand the truth (1 Timothy 2.4). But how is that accomplished? By His forgiveness!

So, if we pray for God's will on earth to be done as it is in heaven - and we are told to imitate God - then it is our place and responsibility to help and forgive people on earth just as God does in heaven.

This is all part of being God's representatives on earth. We are given the ministry of Reconciliation:

And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. [2 Corinthians 5.18]

Father, help us to understand that we are Your representatives on earth.