Do you imitate your Father?


Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©


Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
(Luke 6:36 (NIV))


It is said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

With that in mind, who do you flatter with your actions? Who do you flatter with your words, and who do you flatter with your thoughts?

Do you imitate the flesh or do you imitate the Father?

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
(Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV))

These characteristics do not sound very appealing. In fact, they sound sinful in nature. Is that what you imitate, or do you strive to imitate characteristics that are more loving and flattering to the Lord?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
(Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV))

We have a choice to make. We can imitate the things of this sinful, fallen world, or we can imitate the things of a loving and righteous Father.

It is your choice who you imitate.

Do you imitate your Father?


Copyright 1998 - 2024 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
https://www.dailylivingministries.org