(How You Can Copy The Lord)
By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
TO THE BIBLE: “Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].”
(Ephesians 5:1 AMPC)
LET’S TALK
Some define Christianity as the imitation of Christ; this isn’t quite accurate. Christianity is the revelation of Christ in you.
For example, a house has a kitchen, but the kitchen isn’t the house. In Christianity, there’s the imitation of Christ, but Christianity, essentially, isn’t the imitation of Christ.
Many people have never really understood true Christianity; hence, they tell everyone to imitate Christ. However, the message to imitate Christ isn’t for everyone, but for those in whom is the life and nature of God.
You couldn’t imitate Christ, except you have His life in you. How are we supposed to imitate Christ? Are we supposed to go to the Cross and die as He did? Did He say that everything He did, we must do?
Are we to go to the wilderness and fast for forty days and forty nights, as He did? Is it by copying His mannerisms, dressing, tone of voice etc.? Certainly not, but we can study about Him in the Word; we can see Him in the Word and follow His examples.
1 Peter 2:21-23 shows us the areas for us to emulate the Lord – in righteousness, wholesome communication, nature of forgiveness, kindness, humility, and love.
The summation of His character is love; we’re to therefore emulate Him by walking in love. Ephesians 5:2 AMPC admonishes us to “…walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.”
1 John 4:7-8 says, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
Go Deeper: 1 John 4:7-9
Speak: Dear Father, I thank you for filling my heart with the revelation of your Word and the wisdom to do your will. As I apply my heart to your Word, Christ is formed in me, and His character of love and nature of righteousness are revealed through me day by day, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading: ONE YEAR Hebrews 12:14-29, Jeremiah 33
TWO YEAR John 12:20-29, 1 Chronicles 16
Act: State below the ways you would, from today, start to imitate the Lord Jesus.