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Imitation #1

You probably know that example is the best means of teaching and imitation is the best way of learning.

Did you know that we have been told to imitate God, several times?

1. Loving our enemies
2. Loving our wives
3. Humility
4. In everything.
5. In love
6. Loving the brothers
7. Wining an unbelieving husband.

Let's look at them.

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:44-48)

Jesus tells us to love our enemies then he teaches us how: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (verse 48).

We are to imitate the Father in Heaven in His perfection.

You may say that you do not know how. That is not a good answer. Study the perfection of the Father in Heaven and then imitate. I don't know the meaning of the word 'perfect.' Whatever it means, it is just like the Father in Heaven.

We see the same teaching in Luke 6:27-36,

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

The command to imitate is in verse 36, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

Study the MERCY of God and then imitate.

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