A Little God Time for MenSample

Walking in Love

“Be imitators of God” in today’s verse is an audacious statement. How could someone possibly imitate God? And how could one possibly ask us to be imitators of God? Doesn’t the whole idea sound ridiculous? The secret to this whole idea is found in the phrase “as beloved children.” This is more than a kind expression. The original wording points to both the character and reason for that imitation. We are to be like God because we are his children. Can you think of some way you are like your dad? Maybe you have your dad’s voice, his smile, his walk, his sense of humor, or his keen wit. He didn’t have to teach you; as his son, you naturally resemble him in some way.

There are ways we’ll never be like God, but we are to imitate him in one way: how we love. Jesus was both our example and the cause of this new ability. Because of what Jesus did, we have a new ability to love others around us. There’s little room for complaining how hard it is to love another person because it is the love of Jesus, not our own, that we’re giving.

Father, thank you for designing me to love like Jesus loves. It’s now in my spiritual DNA. May your love leak out of me today, especially to those who have been hard for me to love. Thank you for making me your child. Maybe someday people will look at me and be drawn to you.