Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. Ephesians 5: 1– 2
It seems to me that there are two conflicting myths about Christianity. Some say Christianity is about what you believe. Others insist it’s about what you do. The truth is that neither is correct.
Christianity is about trusting in God’s Grace. Through His grace, we are forgiven, and by His grace, we are empowered to live lives of love.
Children naturally imitate their parents. Boys love to play like they are shaving. Girls love easy bake ovens and tea parties. When we trust in Jesus, our nature is changed and we become His children. It becomes “natural” to us to want to be like Him, to imitate Him. God, however, is perfect. His ways are an “impossible” standard to live up to. Plus our history of living for ourselves drags us down.
Enter Grace. Through God’s grace, our past is forgiven and forgotten. Through grace, we are empowered to change, to become more each day like our Lord Jesus.
What is required of us? Taking our eyes off ourselves and on Him. We need to forsake our selfishness and learn to live in love, putting God and others first.
We have to stop looking at faith as a theological construct and instead walk it out.
“If we know the whole Bible and the teachings of all the philosophers, what does all this benefit us without the love and grace of God? It is completely futile unless we love God and serve only him. This is the highest wisdom: to put earthly values behind us and to reach forward to the heavenly kingdom.”
Watkins, James (2016-01-12). The Imitation of Christ: Classic Devotions in Today’s Language (Kindle Locations 194-196). Worthy Publishing. Kindle Edition
We need to shake off the thinking that it’s all about what we believe and what we do and understand that it’s about whom we trust and what He does in us.
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