I hoped our dinner guest wouldn’t notice that I was staring at him. I knew it was impolite, but I was trying to decide if he looked like Elvis Presley. Let me explain. My husband had invited a friend over to eat with us who was an “Elvis tribute artist.” He told us stories of swaggering to the stage with his guitar at backyard birthday parties, weddings, and even in college dorms.
Imitating “The King of rock and roll” was just a hobby for our friend, but as Christians we’re called to “imitate God . . . in everything [we] do” (Ephesians 5:1). Fortunately, Paul left us with some specifics on how to live just like “The King of heaven.” We’re supposed to be God-followers who:
Walk in love—because “God is love” (1 John 4:8). We need to love our fellow Christians and put their needs above our own, just as Jesus did for us (Ephesians 5:2).
Walk in light—because “God is light, and there is no darkness in Him” (1 John 1:5). This means not getting tangled in sinful patterns of living. Rather, our lives should be characterized by what is “good and right and true” (Ephesians 5:9).
Walk in wisdom—because “God is so wise” (Job 9:4). We’re supposed to be careful about the life choices we make and be filled with God’s Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:15,18).
As Christians, we need to remember that other people are studying us, looking for any likeness to God that they can see. And God wants us to live so that our lives will encourage people to get to know Him. This is why He says: “Be holy because I am holy” (Leviticus 11:45).
More:
Put on your new nature, created to be like God— truly righteous and holy (Ephesians 4:24).
Next:
If people were examining your “walk,” would they call you an imitator of God? Why is it impossible for us to imitate God without the power of the Holy Spirit?
unclegene on January 3, 2011 at 12:30 pm
This something we all need to think about very seriously and maybe we should ask some people how they see our walk. I try to do what is good and right in love but do others see me as I see myself? I doubt it. As St Francis of Assissi said “Preach the gospel at all times — If necessary use words”, please pray for me that I can do just that. And when I look in the mirror to see the dirt that needs to be washed off.
daisymarygoldr on January 6, 2011 at 7:19 pm
Thanks for this essential yet unpopular post! Nowadays, no one wants to talk about the need to “Be Holy” for fear of being branded as a rule-keeping Pharisee who is bound for hell. In my recent past, I have experienced being intimidated by Christians on that account. It made me feel like a terrible sinner and had it been a face-to-face conversation, it would have resulted in my being stoned to death for speaking about being holy.
To honor God, it is my desire to live a holy life so people can see Him in me. This is not to follow some legalistic set of rules and show off to others. It is out of love for God, who put off His Holiness to become unholy so I could put on His Holiness and be holy.
If we understood what it means for a Holy God to become sin for us, then we will make every effort to live a holy life. To be holy in all manner of conversations and conduct is the only evidence of putting on Christ our holiness.
The secret to imitating God’s holiness lies in simple obedience—the constant surrender of my body as a living sacrifice. And it is the Holy Spirit that empowers my mind to say no to the works of my sinful nature.
Sadly, many get absorbed into the church without ever experiencing the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. As liars, cheaters, prostitutes or publicans we tend to continue the same life styles even within the church. The Church is called out and set apart to be God’s holy people (1 Cor 1:2) for His Kingdom work.
Without holiness, the church cannot be effective no matter what programs we employ to attract unbelievers. In order to be holy and do God’s work, superficial Christians who live like pagans should be dealt with and purged out from her midst (1 Cor 5) that is if we want to influence and convince others to come to Christ.
And lest this is viewed as hypocritical and self-righteous, God in His wisdom chose an unholy and filthy fisherman named Peter, to teach us about why we should be holy (2 Pet 3: 11). The question therefore is:
Individually as Christians and collectively as the Church, are we living our lives in such a way that they reflect God’s Holiness?
jennifer benson schuldt on January 7, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Thank you for these comments! Daisymarygoldr, as you noted, this is not a popular topic. It’s hard to live holy lives. It requires us to pay attention to how others perceive us. Not that we’re living to please other people–but we do need to think about how we come across to the world, as representatives of Jesus. It’s a challenging and humbling thing.