An Imitator of God

THIS WEEK’S BOLD STEP DEVOTION

Have you ever heard these sayings, ‘they’re a chip off the old block,’ or ‘the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree’? These phrases refer to children who have similar personality traits, character, or behavior to one of their parents.

My son, Josiah, is a good example of this, in that, not only does he sound a lot like me, but he also felt called to the pastorate and now serves as the lead pastor of our church. Recently, he came to speak at one of our chapels to the students here at Moody Bible Institute. As soon as he started speaking, they couldn’t help but laugh because he sounded just like me!

Just like a child who wants to grow up and be like their parents, God calls us to become more like Him in word, deed and thought. As children of God, we should seek to imitate Christ who, though a man, lived his life imitating His Father.

What would it look like to reflect God in your everyday life? In Ephesians 5, Paul provides us with a clear set of instructions:

1. Our desires and speech need to be consistent with our new identity in Christ.
2. Our values must align with what God values.
3. Our lives should reflect His righteousness and holiness.
4. Our walk should produce good fruit.
5. Our faith should seek to please the Lord.

The best way to imitate Christ in your life is to comply with the checklist God has provided us. When we start living like the light, people will take notice. Our joy will become more than just self-satisfaction. We’ll live with more certainty of who we are and whose we are. We’ll live for a different cause. Are you ready?

Listen to the sermon series: Choosing to Walk in the Light

Part 1Part 2Part 3

Ministry Update from Mark

In this season of thanks, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to each of you who encourage our team each day with your emails, letters, donations and especially prayers. We are grateful that God is using the ministry of Bold Steps to impact lives around the globe. We’re especially humbled when we receive notes like this from a listener in Illinois:

"You proclaim the truth of the gospel in such a way that a person can understand it and apply it to his life. You use humor and personal stories that make it entertaining as well as encouraging. You and Wayne make a great team as you present God's Word to us who need it so badly. God bless you and prosper His ministry through you! Amen"

Like this friend of the ministry, if your life has been touched in any way by this program, I’d love to hear from you. Email me today at boldsteps@moody.edu and Happy Thanksgiving!