03/11/2014 - IMITATORS OF GOD

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Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. Ephesians 5.1

Many people attain success in life by imitating others. Some of them do this in a dishonest manner, with no respect for all the hard work and energy dispensed by another person to find something new, create a product, write a book or compose a song. But those who imitate the Lord are never acting in a dishonest manner; on the contrary, they are encouraged to do so. And in what things should we imitate the Most High? That is a question whose answer can be found only in the Scriptures.

In order for us to imitate God, we must seek his manner of blessing, acting and speaking. That is what the world needs. Enough doctrines created by men, enough amazing ways of doing God’s work and tips from marketing experts! He who seeks to imitate Jesus—his journey on earth, his teachings, his way of ministering, praying and consecrating himself to the Father—will see that he did not have any time to pay attention to temptations.

The Teacher taught us that which is born of the flesh is flesh (John 3.6) so he does not act by the Spirit. Those who try to do the work by stealing sheep from other churches, inviting singers to fill the temple or using techniques of some science, will see, in the end, that they did nothing for the Lord, therefore are not recognized by him. It is important to have good sense in order not to get out of your position and copy the foolish people who are not saving any oil (Matthew 25.3).

On the Great Day, when “the smart ones” find out that what they did prevented them from entering into heaven and caused them to be sent to the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, they will protest and come up with many excuses. These people will hear from the Teacher that he never knew them (Matthew 25.41). Those who have any sense must verify if their behavior is in accordance with the Biblical precepts.

Those who imitate Jesus do the same things he did. He who has an empty church should not go around saying that this happens because the Lord did not want to give him more people. John 6.2 says that a great multitude followed Jesus, because they saw his signs which he performed on those who were diseased. The same thing will happen to all those who believe in the words of the Most High and follow his example. We should not simply change the way of ministering and expect the same results.

Flee from the devil’s proposals, brethren, as he continues showing the glory of this world and promising to give it to anyone who falls down and worships him. Jesus refused to do that and sent him away (Matthew 4.8-10). But we have seen people who, in exchange for very little, are licking the feet of the enemy. He who serves Satan cannot be used by God. The only way not to serve Hell is by imitating Jesus in all things, because everything he said and did was to teach us to serve only the Father.

Do what the Teacher has taught us. Without a doubt, there is nothing else that pleases the Most High more than following the holy example of his Son. Those who fully keep God’s commandments please the Lord fully. Those who imitate Jesus in everything that he did will achieve the same results that the first disciples and the Lord himself achieved. After all, there is no way God’s recipe will fail!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares