A chip off the old block

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children (Ephesians 5:1).

 

A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK

 

MANY YEARS AGO, my wife and I traveled doing evangelistic work. one of the things I would often do in our motel room after an evening service was sit on the edge of the bed in my underwear and watch television for a while. on one occasion I was doing just that when I saw my wife quietly trying to get my attention. There, sitting on the edge of the bed beside me, was our three-year-old daughter in her underwear, watching TV—just like her dad. She was imitating me.

 

The key to truly being an imitator of God is not found in our best efforts. We can obey, work, and accomplish all kinds of things for God and still miss being an imitator of God. The secret is knowing that we are dearly loved. Not just loved, but dearly loved! Our heart’s response to that kind of love is to imitate God. It isn’t fabricated; it isn’t difficult. Imitating God is a very natural result of being dearly loved by God.

 

We won’t imitate those who don’t like us. We won’t imitate those we fear. There is a serious challenge, one that can be overcome, to those who have been mistreated by their own father. They often automatically transfer those traits to God. God is a true Father who dearly loves His children. God’s love is endless, freeing us to imitate the one we love.

—Dale Parsons

 

Your Father dearly loves YOU!