Imitators of Christ ...

Tuesday, March 17, 2015. What is it we are trying to do with our day today? You might have some goals - perhaps you need to finish some work, or you have to sit a test or some exam. What is it that guides my day, what is it that guides my mind and my heart today?

Imitators …

Usually, we have some idea in our mind which we follow. People or particular things can be guiding thoughts for what we want and what we do. Our feelings, our mood, the way we approach things and one thousand small and larger decisions are influenced by what we look for, by what we desire, by the leading or guiding thoughts of our heart and mind!

In the letter to the Ephesians the apostle Paul writes about the guiding thoughts of our life. He writes about Christ Jesus, about him being the center. He writes about us imitating him and his decisions, his words, his life. Let us read a great text from Ephesians 5.

Best use of time …

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

(Eph. 5, 1-21)

Only when we know God, only when we get into real contact with the Lord through his spirit, it will be possible to change our life into what is described by Paul in the above lines. Or would you be able to do all this without sincere help and guidance and insight from the Lord himself? I am not.

But God has promised his spirit to all who put their life into his hands. And indeed, his spirit comes. He is there to help, to guide, to support and to fill our heart with his truth and his love, day by day! (RWEP) ... more texts