Most people say I look like my dad. I can walk into a room of my parent’s friends and they will say, “That has to be Carmen’s daughter. She looks just like him.” I can see how they would say that, although I do have quite a bit more hair than he does. I recognize family resemblances too. I see it in my daughter’s friends. Sometimes I think, “Wow she really looks like her mom”. I even notice that mannerisms and gestures seem to resemble those of their parents. I’m sure you’ve even heard people say “You’re just like your father” (sometimes that’s a compliment, sometimes it’s not). Anyway, we resemble our parents in many ways. And, people can look at us and tell who our parents are.
Well, yesterday our Pastor preached on Ephesians 5:1 -20. His sermon really impacted me, so I thought I would share some of that lesson with you. This section of Ephesians talks about how we should follow God’s example in everything we do because we are his children. We should live a life filled with love for others, following Christ’s example, who loved us so much that he gave himself as a sacrifice to take away our sins. It instructs us to remove any sexual immorality, impurity, greed, and obscene and foolish talk from our lives. We should not participate in these things, for “now we are full of light from the Lord, and our behavior should show it!” We are instructed to find out what is pleasing to the Lord and make the most of every opportunity to do good. We are to live wisely, not foolishly. And, we are to let the Holy Spirit fill us and guide us.
Think about that. Children imitate their parents. How are you doing at imitating God’s example? Are you demonstrating love that goes beyond affection, to self-sacrificing love? Are you forgiving, loving, and generous? Are your words, your behavior and your thoughts reflecting God’s presence in you?
Our actions should reflect our faith. We must take a stand for what is right and true. We must keep our standards high, acting wisely and doing good. “God is light and there is no darkness in him at all.” (1 John 1:5) We need to shine that light. We need to imitate our Heavenly Father. Then, when people look at us, they will know who our Father is.
I was blessed to hear this message. It reminded me of my need to reflect on my life and see what changes I need to make so that I can imitate God in all areas of my life.
