/Therefore you be imitators of God as children of God's love; and you
walk in God's love, just as also Christ loved us and gave Himself over
on our behalf, an offering and a sacrifice to God, into aroma of
fragrance. And fornication and uncleanness, all coveting is not to be
named among you, just as is fitting in holy ones; and ugliness and
foolish talk and buffoonery which does not belong, but rather
thanksgiving. For this you know, knowing that all fornicators or unclean
or coveters (who are idolaters) do not have an inheritance in the
kingdom of Christ and of God. May no one mislead you in empty words; for
through these things comes the wrath of God upon the sons of the
disobedience. Therefore do not become sharers of theirs. For you were
darkness before, and now light in the Lord; you walk as children of
light. For the fruit of the light--in all goodness and righteousness and
truth. /
You'd think spotting a Christian would be easy. Those who fornicate,
covet, act ugly toward others and laugh at silly things can't be true
believers. Yet Christians sometimes do these things. But those who seem
thankful, strive to do what is good & right, listen to bible radio &
watch religious tv must be true believers. Though they give a good
outward show, they may not really trust Jesus, their Savior.
So I guess we can forgive the foolishness of others who can't tell the
difference either. Pharaoh should have known it was the finger of God
sending plagues to protect His people Israel. But he hardened his heart
toward God's truth. The critics of Jesus also should have recognized
that his works too were from the finger of God. Yet they foolishly
accused Jesus of doing his miracles from the power of the devil--the
"Lord of the Flies" (a more acceptable term than Lord of the "dung heap")
But truth be told, you are not able to judge a true believer on his/her
outward appearances. And since you have not yet invented a faith-o-meter
to measure the belief in a person's heart, you are at a loss as to
whether someone is a real Christian or not. But don't despair...this is
a good thing! Because St. Paul's words to you today are not given to you
as judge of who is a true believer. Such judgment isn't given to you.
These words are for you to use to test yourself, to see if you measure
up as you should.
So, how do you measure up when you judge yourself by God's standards?
Are you good imitators of God? Do you love like He loved, willingly
giving up all for Him? Or do you withhold much from the offering plate,
not even coming close to a tithe? God gave everything as an offering for
you in His only-begotten Son Jesus Who was sacrificed for you on the +
of Calvary. He gave so much for you. Why do you give so little of your
time, of your talents, and of your treasures in return to Him?
So, how do you measure up by God's standard? Do you prefer to watch the
History Channel or the Discovery channel specials on the "missing books
of the bible" or on "the real Jesus" instead of attending bible class?
Why would you fill your ears with empty words when the Word of Truth
promises never to mislead you? For Christ Jesus truly enlightens you
when His word is proclaimed & taught, and it gives you faith so that you
may walk in the resulting faithfulness God Himself provides.
So how well do you judge yourself? Do you figure that you can simply
tune out the inappropriate subject matter you watch in an R-rated movie?
Do you think that the lyrics on your parental advisory CD won't effect
you much? Be careful, because it has more influence on you than you
think! Bit by bit the devil makes you more & more immune to the negative
consequences of being inundated with such uncleanness. Instead, live as
baptized children of God, cleansed of all your sinful desires.
So, you aren't very good imitators of God, are you. But don't get too
down on yourself, because you have a better judge than yourself. Jesus
is your ultimate judge! As God, we would expect Him to be the harshest
judge, full of wrath. But as man, He is a sympathetic judge, Who was
tempted in every way just as you are, except without sinning. Jesus was
so "on your side" that He went to bat for you at the +, giving His body
unto the punishment of your death & shedding His blood for you there.
So now you are judged by Jesus in all goodness, righteousness, & truth.
The truth--that Jesus was convicted, sentenced and served your time
already at Calvary. The righteousness--that Jesus kept the Law perfectly
in your place to earn eternal life. The goodness is what Jesus is now
doing through you, that the faith His Spirit gave you and keeps in your
heart now produces faithfulness & its fruits.
In this way it is God, not you, who makes you to "be" imitators of God
thru His love for you. Amen.
John C. Drosendahl, Pastor
[email protected]
