Emulate God's Character

Last week we talked about valuing God's character.  The character of God is unlike any mortal.  As we learn about God and see His perfect character, the challenge is to reflect Him, especially when we are under pressure.  We have the challenge to emulate God within our respective spheres of influence.  Whether we are raising our own children, teaching, ministering, administrating, interacting with others at work, or socializing, we would do well to follow God’s model.  Are we considerate, flexible, reasonable, fair, patient, far-sighted, generous, organized, economical and firm as He is?  Do we give second chances as he granted a second Passover to the impure or traveling?  

Of course we will never be as flexible, generous, farsighted, economical, helpful and wise as our God, but he tells us to “Be perfect as I am perfect” and “Be holy as I, the Lord your God, am holy” (Matthew 5:48 and Leviticus 19:2).  God is setting a goal for us and He wants us to look different from the world.  If we don’t shoot for perfection, we will settle for less than we could achieve.  If we are not striving towards being holy, even though God said that without holiness you cannot see Him (Hebrews 12:14), the Spirit within us will still distinguish us from unbelievers, but not as much as if we would embrace His command.  If we participate with grace and keep in step with the Spirit, we will be more holy over time.  God will take away those desires that are not of Him if we desire to be holy.  Our holiness is what causes others to ask what makes us different and gives us an opportunity to share the gospel “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). 

Bending my will to God's, submitting my desires to His, and returning insult with grace reflect godliness and holiness. The older I get, the more flexible I can be when it comes to daily schedules.  If some plan falls through, I trust God that it was not meant to be or that He has some reason for the change.  This was a huge change for me as I am a planner and do not like my plans to change.  God helped me to see that I had to let go of control of my schedule and submit to His will and desire for my time and my energy.  I have also grown in a number of other areas with maturity in Christ.  The Spirit in believers helps them to grow and mature and become more godly every year if they desire to grow. 

Emulating the character of God is not achieved by human effort.  Some people are definitely more generous or helpful or wise than others regardless of their spiritual age, and some of that comes from their upbringing.  I know I had always wished I were more soft-spoken like some people I know.  I just think that it is a better reflection of God.  Unfortunately, that was not the home I was raised in, so I have a struggle with being too loud.  It does come in handy as a school teacher sometimes, though, I must admit!  However, what we do not gain genetically or environmentally, we can acquire by spending time with the God of the Universe and surrendering to His will for our lives.  Close relationship with Jesus Christ changes us.  Just like you take on qualities of your best friend over time, you will take on qualities of the best Friend you’ll ever have if you spend time with Jesus.