Parenting 101 Part 4 - Made In His Image (cont) - 7.20.25

Joshua Boyd

People like to joke and say “don’t do what I do, do what I say” indicating that they are doing the opposite of what they are telling others to do.  That isn’t God-like. He always does what He says and says what He does.  Jesus fully followed His Father’s Words and actions. 

Paul expected this too because He practiced it very well. He wrote to the church at Corinth, whose people were acting like toddlers, giving into their desires rather than growing up spiritually. What was the instruction to stop that?  Imitate me. 

1 Corinthians 4:16

So I urge you to imitate me.

1 Corinthians 11:1

And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

Ephesians 5:1

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.

Imitation is the earliest form of learning for anyone.  If you aren’t sure how to act or what to say, watch someone else who does.  Babies do this instinctively which is why Paul says imitate God because you are His children.  In church, imitate those who are imitating God.  Listen to their testimonies and learn their patterns. 

Find those in the Bible who trusted God in impossible situations and were triumphant, then imitate them.  It takes humility to do something someone else is doing.  Pride wants to do its own thing, be unique. Let you be you.  Humility submits.