The new arrival's parentage is unmistakable. As much as we had speculated and convinced ourselves that our own donkey could SURELY not be the daddy, one look at that darling foal was all that was needed to bring about the guilty verdict.
Our preposterous donkey, Flash, is indeed, the father.
And that sweet baby brought a spiritual lesson home to me.
You see, that little one can't help that his ears are awfully long, or that his muzzle is a soft shade of tan. He's got those circled eyes and small hooves, and a tail that's just a bit odd. His gene pool gave him the characteristics of his father, and you can't mistake him for anything but a product of the one who created him.
Take a small leap with me here, but isn't that how we Christians are supposed to be? A reflection of our heavenly Father? Unmistakably marked and absolutely convincing in our lineage?
Our verse this month is Ephesians 4:24. (New Living Translation)
This scripture reminds me of how we often encouraged our children to behave.
We would say things like, "Remember, we are the Ridges! We don't run wildly in the store and knock people down." We would remind our kids of who they are and how they should act as a result.
This is exactly what Paul is doing in this passage. He is telling us that we are a new creation, made in the likeness of God our Father, and therefore should act like a member of the family.
It's both a promise AND an admonishment. Let's look at the promise part:
"You are a new person." When we commit our life to Jesus Christ, we become a new creation--spiritually. All the old junk is gone and everything inside is newly formed and beautiful. You are given a new nature and the power, through the Holy Spirit, to live in a way that reflects the character of your heavenly Father. It is the gift of redemption and regeneration.
"Created in God's likeness." Jesus said, "if you have seen me, you have seen the Father." He was the earthly image of the all-powerful God. His nature, his personality, his character...if you want to know who God is, then look no further than his Son. And scripture tells us that we are in Christ and Christ is in us! We have everything we need to reflect the likeness of Jesus (who is like the Father). As we abide in Him, we will bear the fruit that reveals our gene pool.
And this verse tells us about God's likeness in us: righteous, holy and true.
His character in you is not self-righteous, but the kind of righteous that is humble and merciful because we know that is how God has demonstrated his love toward us.
It is holy, which means "set apart." Consecrated and made pure.
And the word "true" means "steadfast, sure, genuine and authentic." I don't know about you, but I want to be an authentic Christian because I've seen enough spiritual fakery in my life. Give me the true holiness that comes from living and breathing and knowing God!
But what about the admonishment? That's in the first few words: "You must display a new nature." It means that, even though you've got the right genes, you could be living in a way that brings dishonor to the family name. This is literally saying, "put on the new man!" It is an act of obedience to walk in the Spirit and access what is already given you through faith in Jesus.
When you are tempted to be critical, judgmental, gossipy or rude, remember that you really CAN walk the walk because you've already got the ability to do what is right within you. You really CAN live free of addiction, sin and bitterness. See, YOUR ears and muzzle and eyes look just like your father's, and maybe you just need to take a good look in the mirror to see the power of God at work in your life. You are a new creation! Never forget that.
Ephesians 4:24 is a tiny microcosm of the Christian walk. It is the picture of the faith, grace and good works that we are called to and created for. This is a scripture that can go right into action! So Today's Small Thing is to print out and put it up, or save it to your screen so that you can be reminded of the truth in it.
POINTS: 40 for putting the scripture somewhere that you will see it! Use this Download Eph4.24Apdf
Where will you post Eph. 4:24 and what does is say to YOU?
"Created in God's likeness." Jesus said, "if you have seen me, you have seen the Father." He was the earthly image of the all-powerful God. His nature, his personality, his character...if you want to know who God is, then look no further than his Son. And scripture tells us that we are in Christ and Christ is in us! We have everything we need to reflect the likeness of Jesus (who is like the Father). As we abide in Him, we will bear the fruit that reveals our gene pool.
And this verse tells us about God's likeness in us: righteous, holy and true.
His character in you is not self-righteous, but the kind of righteous that is humble and merciful because we know that is how God has demonstrated his love toward us.
It is holy, which means "set apart." Consecrated and made pure.
And the word "true" means "steadfast, sure, genuine and authentic." I don't know about you, but I want to be an authentic Christian because I've seen enough spiritual fakery in my life. Give me the true holiness that comes from living and breathing and knowing God!
But what about the admonishment? That's in the first few words: "You must display a new nature." It means that, even though you've got the right genes, you could be living in a way that brings dishonor to the family name. This is literally saying, "put on the new man!" It is an act of obedience to walk in the Spirit and access what is already given you through faith in Jesus.
When you are tempted to be critical, judgmental, gossipy or rude, remember that you really CAN walk the walk because you've already got the ability to do what is right within you. You really CAN live free of addiction, sin and bitterness. See, YOUR ears and muzzle and eyes look just like your father's, and maybe you just need to take a good look in the mirror to see the power of God at work in your life. You are a new creation! Never forget that.
Ephesians 4:24 is a tiny microcosm of the Christian walk. It is the picture of the faith, grace and good works that we are called to and created for. This is a scripture that can go right into action! So Today's Small Thing is to print out and put it up, or save it to your screen so that you can be reminded of the truth in it.
POINTS: 40 for putting the scripture somewhere that you will see it! Use this Download Eph4.24Apdf
Where will you post Eph. 4:24 and what does is say to YOU?
