Impossible!

Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.        – Ephesians 5:1-2, CSB

Imitate God!? How do we imitate God? It would seem that there are any number of passages in the New Testament that ask of us the impossible, Ephesians 5:1-2 not being an exception. Here are a couple of others to try on for size:

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. –Matthew 5:48, ESV (emphasis mine)

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” -1 Peter 1:14-16, NIV (emphasis mine)

Here is what the Bible clearly teaches, as followers of Jesus we are to be like God: perfect, holy and loving. And the call to this code of (impossible) conduct is from it’s source: God Himself. But we can’t even begin to imitate God or get in the same zip code as perfection or be holy in one thing we do let alone all. It is impossible. So, why does God command and call us to the very things He knows we cannot accomplish? Because He knows we cannot accomplish them on our own. But what’s more is that He never intended us to. It is beyond us, in our humanness. It is not beyond our second-birthness though. We can be imitators of God and perfect and holy as the indwelling Holy Spirit empowers and enables us. And here is where we can be sure that each day of living as a Christian is a humble experience. If we go it on our power, failure is certain. If we humbly admit that we must not strike out on our own power but must have the Holy Spirit in charge, then success is possible. For nothing is in impossibility with God. The question we are left with is, if today, we will choose the humble path or the impossible one. I for one hope you choose the empowering and enabling of the Holy Spirit over your human will power and grit. Humanity does really poorly at attempting to take God’s spot. Christianity is to be humanity yielding itself to God so He can do the impossible in us.

Questions to consider:[i]

What keeps you from humbly accepting the Holy Spirit’s enabling and empowering for day to day living? How will you remind yourself of your need for the humble, Holy Spirit filled path this week?

A prayer:

Father God,

What I have not, give me.

What I know not, teach me.

What I am not, make me.

For Jesus’ sake, Amen.

[i] There will be no WEDnesday discussion groups this week as we will come together to serve instead! Hope to see you in the main building at 6 pm for pizza!