Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
I absolutely love watching little kids imitate their parents. It’s just the cutest thing in the world when they walk the same way, do a certain gesture, or completely mimic exactly what their parent just did. I think it's amazing. With that perspective in mind, let’s think about how much that's reflective of our Verse of the Day today.
Ephesians chapter 5 verse 1 says, Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do because you are His dear children. What a challenge! But yet such a beautiful one if we keep that sweet, innocent mindset of a child imitating the parent.
The Power of Early Learning
Have you ever noticed that when somebody grows up in the south, they may have a southern twang that they carry in their voice pretty much their entire life? Or, someone learns a foreign language, but consistently keeps the accent of their native language when they get older? I find that very interesting because if I learned another language, I'm sure I would have an American English accent no matter how hard I tried not to. Some people are very fluent in other languages, but do you know why that is?
The minds of young children have what is called “plasticity mode,” where they’re easily able to learn and absorb information. The older they get, the more solidified it becomes, so it's no longer as easy to learn and absorb things.
That's what I find so intriguing about this passage. Let's read it one more time. Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children. Remember that same plasticity of the mind when it comes to God—that we can easily absorb what He's trying to teach us. We’re going to look at the context before and after to better understand why this is so important.
The Context of Forgiveness
We're going to have to go back to the chapter prior, which is Ephesians chapter 4 and verse 32, and it says:
Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Put that in the context of imitating God as His dear children. Children forgive and move on so easily, don’t they? They don't hold on to stuff. The older we get, the more building blocks that start developing in our life that become walls that we put up between one another. This could be hurt or lack of forgiveness. That's the beauty of what God's referring to. Be imitators.
Here we have a God that's holy and perfect. He says to us, I will forgive your sins. I will cast them as far as the east is from the west. So, why don't we forgive one another? Why don't we be imitators of God as dear children? That plasticity of being willing to let go of things and absorb from Him to be imitators of His forgiveness.
Love Like Christ
In the verse after our Verse of the Day, Ephesians chapter 5 and verse 2 says:
Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ, who loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Forgive the way God forgives. Love the way God loves—the way Jesus loves and forgives. Imagine the world if we could be imitators of that. How much the world would change and how much we could impact the world if we were willing to let go as children and forgive the way God forgives. Love the way God loves.
A Challenge to Grow
I would love for us to take some time with the Lord and allow Him to pour into you so you absorb it as a dear child, to actually learn to forgive and love the way He does. If He reveals things to you of forgiveness or lack of forgiveness, I would encourage you to let go of those things. Forgive. Be imitators of Him. Love well and see how He can use that in your life as we imitate Him today.
