A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day – September 19, 2019
Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]; (Ephesians 5:1, Amplified Bible)
Most born-again Christians would have no problem with the thought that our goal is to be like Jesus. He is our example. He is our teacher and guide. The question is, what is the best way to get there? Is it through prayer and fasting? Is it through leading others to the Lord? Is it through being a doer of the Word? Is it through ministering to the widows and orphans? Is it through renewing our mind? Is it through assembling ourselves with other believers? There is no doubt that all these things are important but what is your personal vision of Jesus that you are striving to be like?
Over the last few months I have encouraged the readers of these devotionals to look at Jesus first when trying to get a clear picture of God the Father. Jesus told His disciples that when they had seen Him they had seen the Father. He is the exact representation of the Father. He did not say anything the Father did not say or do anything the Father did not tell Him to do.
To get a clear vision of God requires us to read the Bible backwards. I know that sounds crazy but think about it. Most people spend a lot of time in the Old Testament trying to form a picture of what God the Father is like. No doubt, every book in the Old Testament at some point gives you a glimpse of God, and Jesus, but they are only glimpses. In some cases they are not even good glimpses. The Book of Job is a prime example. Job’s friends went on for chapter after chapter describing God and in the end God said they did not know what they were talking about. Even Job admitted that he thought He knew God but even He had a wrong vision.
Please listen to me!!! Jesus acted out the heart of God in the New Testament. He brought to light the true character of God. It wasn’t a glimpse anymore but a real-life in your face picture. That is why we all need to look at what Jesus did to make sure our vision of the Father is not polluted with things that we only had glimpses of in the Old Testament.
Look at it this way. A house divided cannot stand! Jesus is not and will not come against and rebuke things that the Father was responsible for. Let’s look at a few examples. Jesus healed the sick. Jesus cast out demons. Jesus rebuked the storm. Jesus fed His disciples on the Sabbath. Jesus raised the dead. When I see Jesus doing these things, that tells me that the Father is not the instigator of sickness, demon possession, storms, or death. It is the enemy that comes to kill, steal and destroy, not God! Jesus comes to give us life and life more abundantly.
Why is it so hard to believe that God is that good? The reason is that we have a deceiver that does not want us to really know the truth. He is the Father or Lies. That is why it is so important for you to have a personal relationship with Jesus. When you know the heartbeat of Jesus, you know the heartbeat of the Father. When you know the truth, the lies have to go.
