GETTING TO KNOW GOD
How well do you know God? Do you know Him well enough to imitate Him? The apostle Paul exhorted the Ephesian saints, Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. (Ephesians 5:1, NKJV). As we begin the year 2012, I suggest that we make that our goal, our ambition – to imitate God.
However, to imitate God, we must first know God. So, as we follow our Bible reading schedule for 2012, let me suggest that we focus on what the Bible says about God – Who is He? What is He like? What is His view of the world, man, and sin? How does He behave? What does He expect from us and what does He want from us? Let’s explore every aspect of God and come to know Him thoroughly so we can imitate Him as we live our lives.
If an actor chooses to imitate or impersonate someone else, how does he achieve that ability? He begins by studying the person. He watches His actions and movements. He repeatedly listens to his words and the way he says them. Ultimately, he begins to sound and move like that individual. And sometimes, he even gets to the point that he knows exactly how that individual thinks. He knows how the individual would react to certain questions, and how he would behave in certain situations. He begins to think and act like that individual.
If we want to imitate God, we must study Him intently and get to know Him completely. When we do that, we will be able to think like Him. We will learn to love what He loves and hate what He hates. We will make His priorities our priorities. We will make His wishes our wishes. We will make His actions our actions. We will make His traits our traits.
And, what will be the result of all of that? Our lives will become His. We will be so close to Him and imitate Him so well that His image will be reflected through us to the world that so desperately needs to see Him.
~ John
