Today’s Reading:
Ephesians 5:1-14
“Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children.” (Ephesians 5:1)
I have listened to motivational speakers saying this statement times without number IMITATION IS LIMITATION. That is, when you copy someone, you will be limited, someone who copies another is not original but rather a photocopy. But the scripture says to be imitators of God. If there is any personality a Christian needs to copy it is God. And the best picture God has ever taken is Jesus. You cannot copy Jesus and live a limited life instead you will fulfill purpose and destiny.
In the scripture above, Apostle Paul highlighted a few arrears where we can imitate Christ and they are:
Walk in Love: From Genesis to Revelation one major text which captures and fully expresses God’s love is John 3:16; For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son… what God gave wasn’t out of many available resources but the only son. One of the best ways we can imitate God is to love. And you cannot claim to love without giving. The giving may be financial, time, resources, ideas etc. Your giving life expresses your love life to people. How much of your earnings, time and everything are you giving back to God and humanity? Your love life is questionable until you learn to give and give rightly or unconditionally. For love is not by words alone but by action.
Shun Immoralities: fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, foolish talking and coarse joking must not be found among God’s children. God expects his children to shun (avoid persistently, disdain) anything called an immoral act. Christians must not be seen playing around with sin. What kind of play will the opposite sex be doing with you to the extent of touching some sensitive parts of your body, ungodly hugging and handshake, eyeing or using foolish sexual slang claiming to appreciate your beauty or handsomeness? Christians must shun all of these for those things cannot be found in Jesus.
Giving Thanks: Jesus’ ministry is characterized by miracles and some of those powerful miracles are characterized with thanksgiving. One out of many, as recorded by John the Apostles in John 11, talks about Lazarus's raising. In verse 41, Jesus said: Father, I thank you for hearing Me. Even before the miracle happened, He thanked his father. Thanksgiving should be one of the things we must resemble Christ with. When will you quit complaining and murmuring and start thanking God? Some miracles will never happen until we approach His throne with praise and thanksgiving.
Don’t be deceived with empty words: In Jesus’ days, he was not carried away by the wrong teachings of Pharisees and the empty praise of men. You must learn to decipher between empty words that sound religious and words from the throne of grace. Even fake prophets and preachers have flooded the pulpit today. You must have a discerning spirit to separate fake from original. You must be rooted in God’s Word in a time like this to escape all those conjured words that sound spiritual but in the real sense they are nonsensical and only appealing to the flesh (Matthew 24:4-5,11-12,23-25)
Walk as children of light: Matthew 5:16 says; let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven. Christianity cannot be practised in obscurity. It is light and for light to shine, it must be put on the lampstand to give light to everyone. Don’t hide your light. Everywhere you go carry Christ, speak about him, and let your dress show that you belong to a kingdom that values decency and holiness is the watchword while love is the action word. Everywhere Jesus went we saw light shining. Imitate him too in your secret and public lives.
Have no fellowship with darkness: In II Corinthians 6:14-18, the writer asked some questions and made some assertions that are worthy of note for individuals who want to imitate Christ. You can’t claim to be righteous and your best friend is a Muslim, you can’t even win him for Christ. What close relationship are you having with a drunkard or going about together even to the bar? How will you convince people you are a child of God if you are always found among the yahoo boys? Show me your friend and I can accurately predict your future goes the popular saying. Fellowship with darkness must be shunned. Kindly check your company. Where and with whom do you spend most of your time? This is a pointer to your destiny. Who influences major decisions in your life? Who are your counsellors? Who are you imitating in life? If you imitate any other personality apart from Christ, you will forever be limited. Even if you are following a man of God, if Christ is not seen in that man of God, stop following him. The only person God asks us to follow is Christ.
JAMES ALADE
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
I disconnect myself from wrong associations in Jesus’ name.
I receive grace to follow Christ to the end in Jesus’ name.
Whatever that is getting my attention apart from Christ lose your grip on my life in Jesus’ name.
At any point I have missed it, open my eyes Lord and help me to retrace my steps in Jesus’ name.
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