Like father, like son
“He looks like his dad”; “she’s so much like her mother” – you might have said or heard it. Something in our behaviour or character might make others think of a family member. You can even have this with friends: if you spend lots of time together, you begin to think and act alike.
A similar principle is true for Christians: we’re supposed to become more and more like Christ, our Saviour and King. He is our example, our model. As children of God, we should imitate him, live on the basis of what he’s done for us.
Paul writes: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 4:32-5:2)
Paul picks up the teaching of Jesus, which we looked at on Sunday morning from Matthew 5:38-42. Instead of seeking our own gain and honour and rights, e.g. by taking revenge or seeking retribution, we’re called to be generous and full of grace. A new ‘default’ setting of our lives is required, a new first reflex, first desire. That’s a radical call, to deny ourselves and seek others (Matthew 16:24)!
Difficult (if not impossible) as this may be in our own strength, we can be certain that God wants to help us; working in us with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit produces gospel fruit in our lives (see Galatians 5:22-23). And the Spirit glorifies Jesus, who gave everything and died unjustly; so that we who deserve nothing but hell, can receive lavish grace. Looking to Jesus will be the best start of living more like him!
Klaas-Jan Gunnink