Become imitators of God (Chapter5 v1-2_
This remarkable possibility, that, redeemed human beings, formerly described as godless and alienated from the life of God, are now within reach of imitating God; such is the conversion of a soul that what was inconceivable is now within reach. Paul presents this as a natural outcome to Divine forgiveness in chapter 4v32. He says "Be ye therefore followers(imitators) of God...." Due to the awesome benefit of forgiveness received, we can do no less than to follow His example. Indeed this is exactly why we are saved, to display the characteristics of our Father....he says "...as beloved children...." Paul, in other places invites the saints to follow him inasmuch he followed the Lord, so he is the living example of his words; 1 Corinthian29s 4v16 "Wherefore I beseech you, become followers of me"; again, same epistle chapter 11 v1 "Be ye followers of me even as I am also of Christ." He said to the Thessalonians(chapter 1v6) "...ye became followers of us and of the Lord." Of Caleb it was said "He wholly followed the Lord". Peter wrote in his epistle "Christ also suffered for us , leaving us an example that we should follow in His steps."(1 Peter 2v21). Thus from old and new testaments we have the examples of those who followed the Lord. What it will mean is that in every situation, we follow what God would do, we act like He would act. The whole matter of our imitating God is germane to our new life in Christ. God saved us to make us anew, that we might be conformed to the image of His Son(Romans 8v29.) Ultimately He will make us like Himself; it is His desire we imitate Him now.
- We are called to be holy, because our Father is holy 1 Peter 1vv15-16
- We are to be kind and generous as the children of our Father Matthew 5v45
- We are to be perfect as our Father Matthew 5v48
- We are to be merciful as our Father Luke 6v36
- We are to love, because our Father loves us 1 John 4v1
"Walk in love......" Order your steps, live your life, as directed under the motivating power of love. Love is agape sacrificial love, God's kind of love, love that needs no personal return, love that takes no account of the object of love. Love is not only what God does, love is what God is!! He is the very source and fountain of love that knows no human measure.....and always seeks the best for the one so loved.
"...as Christ also hath loved us..." This is the high standard set, according to the level of the love of Christ to us. Various descriptions of this love are given in the scriptures to convey love that transcends normal human love. He loved us when we were most unlovable(ungodly); He loved us when we came short of His standards(sinners); He loved us when we were rebellious(enemies); He loved us to the uttermost(not counting the cost to Himself); His love is unfathomable, inexplicable, and unfeigned. Truly, in the words of the hymn, "There is no love like the love of Jesus!" Libraries have been filled to describe it, language cannot exhaust it, intellect cannot contain it, orators cannot explain it, cynics cannot destroy it. It is a power, a spiritual force that constrains all who come into it's compass. Nothing in all of the visible earth can hinder it, nothing in the unseen spiritual universe can touch it, nothing now, nothing of the past, nothing of the future can separate believers from Him. Love, the love of Christ, never fails, when everything else may fail. It is God's "more excellent way."
"...and hath given Himself for us..." Love gives, love is action, talk is cheap. Many talk love, but where is the evidence? John 3v16 "God so loved the world that He gave......" We can give many things but we cannot give more than ourselves. When we consider who it was who gave Himself, when we think of all He is, and the fact, that, as God, He needed nothing from us, this gift of love is supreme.
"...an offering and a sacrifice to God..." These two words are not the same; we are talking here of an action toward God. Because He is GOD, only a proper offering will do. The first word has the thought of presentation, that is, such that was acceptable to God. The second is the actual giving up of His life, as the holiness of God demanded because of sin. Thus the twin thought is presentation, followed by dedication to God for us.
"...for a sweet smelling savour..." The issue was greater than our needs only, Divine justice must be satisfied, and it was; instead of the stench of sin rising to heaven, now the sweet incense of a perfect sacrifice is before the throne. Divine satisfaction means human salvation, and behind it all is an act of love unparalleled in all history. As the recipients of such love we are to follow in His steps. Surely we must, what else can we do? "Love, so amazing, so Divine, demands my soul, my life, my all."
"...as Christ also hath loved us..." This is the high standard set, according to the level of the love of Christ to us. Various descriptions of this love are given in the scriptures to convey love that transcends normal human love. He loved us when we were most unlovable(ungodly); He loved us when we came short of His standards(sinners); He loved us when we were rebellious(enemies); He loved us to the uttermost(not counting the cost to Himself); His love is unfathomable, inexplicable, and unfeigned. Truly, in the words of the hymn, "There is no love like the love of Jesus!" Libraries have been filled to describe it, language cannot exhaust it, intellect cannot contain it, orators cannot explain it, cynics cannot destroy it. It is a power, a spiritual force that constrains all who come into it's compass. Nothing in all of the visible earth can hinder it, nothing in the unseen spiritual universe can touch it, nothing now, nothing of the past, nothing of the future can separate believers from Him. Love, the love of Christ, never fails, when everything else may fail. It is God's "more excellent way."
"...and hath given Himself for us..." Love gives, love is action, talk is cheap. Many talk love, but where is the evidence? John 3v16 "God so loved the world that He gave......" We can give many things but we cannot give more than ourselves. When we consider who it was who gave Himself, when we think of all He is, and the fact, that, as God, He needed nothing from us, this gift of love is supreme.
"...an offering and a sacrifice to God..." These two words are not the same; we are talking here of an action toward God. Because He is GOD, only a proper offering will do. The first word has the thought of presentation, that is, such that was acceptable to God. The second is the actual giving up of His life, as the holiness of God demanded because of sin. Thus the twin thought is presentation, followed by dedication to God for us.
"...for a sweet smelling savour..." The issue was greater than our needs only, Divine justice must be satisfied, and it was; instead of the stench of sin rising to heaven, now the sweet incense of a perfect sacrifice is before the throne. Divine satisfaction means human salvation, and behind it all is an act of love unparalleled in all history. As the recipients of such love we are to follow in His steps. Surely we must, what else can we do? "Love, so amazing, so Divine, demands my soul, my life, my all."
No comments:
Post a Comment