March 8, 2024
Read Leviticus 24, Psalm 67, Ephesians 5
Children will often imitate or mimic each other to get on each other’s nerves. Unconscientiously children will often imitate other adults or an older brother or sister that they admire. As the saying goes, “imitation is the highest form of flattery.” In Ephesians 5 Paul challenges the churches in Ephesus to “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” vv. 1-2. The highest form of worship we can give to the Lord is to be an imitator of Jesus. If we truly love the Lord, we will not stop at expressing that in words alone, we will imitate Jesus teachings through our actions.
There are so many people today who want to put together their own version of Jesus that is far from the Jesus of Scripture. They either focus on love and neglect the truth of Jesus teachings, or they do the opposite. Both views are incomplete and are not the real Jesus. We need both love and truth to represent the Savior we claim to imitate. When I was younger, we played a game called “follow the leader.” If Jesus is really our leader, we should make our best effort to follow Him as close as we can. This means letting go of our own will and desires and the ways of the world to follow Christ.
What else do you observe in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.
DId God Really Say... 