EPHESIANS 5:1-2
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.
He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Over the years, a large portion of our homeschool experience has centered around various art projects. It is not uncommon for my husband to return home after a long day at work to countertops filled with wet paint projects, paper mâché planets floating above our dining room table (which also serves as our school table), and giant paper plate - and - streamer jelly fish flowing in the wind by our window.
The Homan kids have always enjoyed a good art project...and making a good mess.
Every project begins with me - the teacher/mom/lunch lady/janitor- explaining the project and showing them an example to follow. Once I have finished, I ask if they have questions and answer all 1,000,000 to the best of my untrained artistic ability. When they appear satisfied and confident to begin, they gather up their supplies and set to work - studying the example I have provided and then doing their best to replicate it with the supplies in front of them.
I thought of this as we read Ephesians 5:1-2 during our Bible Study this past week in which Paul encourages the church of Ephesus to follow the "example of Christ" and "imitate God."
In the original language, the word used for "imitate" in this portion of scripture is synonymous with the word "follow."
Paul is telling the church, "Follow God in everything you do."
In how you respond to others...
In how you treat people...
In how you speak...handle confrontation...love your family.
Let His life be your example.
Replicate the Original.
George Barnard Shaw (the great playwright) once said that "imitation" is the "sincerest form of learning."
As we study Jesus' life, dig deep into the Gospels, and immerse ourselves in the Biblical narrative - we will learn to "imitate" Jesus.
At first, our brush strokes may stray far from the example He laid before us...but over time, if we continue to pursue knowing Him - the picture we paint should reveal more and more of Him.
Will we paint outside the lines from time to time? Yes.
But should we begin to become more like Him over time? Taking on His nature, thinking His thoughts, feeling His heart's longings, and acting more consistently in a way that points to Him each day? Yes.
This is the assignment we are given - to become like Christ.
But the key to a good replication is to keep returning to the Original.
And for many of us - time spent in the Word and in His presence in our daily lives is short-lived and far-between.
We spend more time looking down at our phones and calendar books than we do looking up at His example.
We study latest trends and celebrity gossip more than we study the Good News.
We consume our lives with hurry and busyness.
We prioritize entertainment over Spiritual growth.
And then we wonder why we are not becoming more like Him.
But the key to a good replication is to keep returning to the Original.
In Matthew, Jesus said to His disciples, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me (Mt. 11:29)."
Salvador Dali, a famous painter, once said, "Those who do not imitate anything, produce nothing."
Take a moment to pause and ask yourself,
"What am I producing?"
"Would people even know what example I am trying to follow?"
"Would they even know who I am attempting to replicate?"
King David once prayed, "Lord, search me and know me. If there is any wicked way in me, lead me in the way of everlasting (Psalm 139)."
Let this be our prayer as well.
There is a world around us that is in desperate need of Jesus, and we have a job to do:
"Let your light shine before all men that they see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Mt. 5)."
Our lives are to point to Him.
Replications of the Original.
But it starts here:
STUDY Jesus.
Learn Him.
Get to know Him.
Spend time with Him.
Dust off your Bible and dig in.
Let His life be your example.
Replicate the Original.
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