Dear Christian friends:

Paul here tells us "to be like God." Can we? Not in every way. We can't be almighty or know everything or be in every place at the same time like God. But we can be good like God, not bad like Satan. Do we try? Can we be?


What does it mean to be good like God? How is God? God is holy with no sin. "Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16, Lev. 19:2) God is love. God loves animals, loves nature, loves people, even loves sinners. God is not selfish or greedy. 1 John 4:16, "God is love." God is kind, patient, faithful and never breaks His word or promises. God forgives.

Jesus, God's son is a good example for us. "And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:2)

Jesus didn't want to die on the cross. The night before He died He prayed to God His Father, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." (Luke 22:42) God did not take that cup full of suffering from Him but asked Him to drink it. Jesus drank it. He accepted God's will because He loved God, and He loved us all. He forced His flesh to obey God's good and kind will to save the world. He died on the cross as God wanted.

So we are to pray like Jesus, "Not my will (my selfish, greedy, proud will) but Your will be done." The Lord's Prayer, 3rd Petition. Our flesh doesn't want to be like God. We don't want to help others in trouble or the needy. We want to be free, and to do as we please: do things that satisfy our body, and give our body and pride satisfaction. We don't want to preach, teach and baptize and give much time and money for church work.

That's why Paul here warns us: "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving" (Ephesians 5:3-4) Don't allow shameful talk, or foolish talk or vain talk, because that is not right. (Not like God.) Then He adds a few very important words: "But give thanks." People who do not give thanks are not like God. They are bad like the devil. They do not know God and His ways and His will. That is why it is very important for us to give thanks to God daily for all His blessings. That helps helps us to be like Him and serve and obey Him.

One way we can do that is by joining in the 125th Anniversary Offering. We will have a good reminder to rejoice in His mercy and thank Him daily in prayer and once a month give a thank offering for two years.

Why should we be good like God? Paul has several good reasons. "You are God's dear children." (verse 1) We are not any more the devil's children like the unbelievers. They are ignorant and don't know any better. You know better. In verse 8, Paul says, "Once you yourselves were darkness, but now you are light. So walk as children of light."

Peter writes, "that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:" (1 Peter 2:9) God has done so much for us His mercy and forgiveness in Jesus Christ. No more fear of Satan and death and hell! We have knowledge of God's love and hope for eternal life. By His Word and Spirit, by prayer and giving thanks we can force ourselves to stop sinning and gladly serve and obey Him.

Remember whose son you are, that will help you to live like your Father wants. All children try hard to please their parents and are very happy when they do. So, you and I are most happy when pleasing our good and wonderful Father in heaven.

If we do not try to be good like God, we will lose heaven and lose our faith in Jesus. "For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient." (Ephesians 5:5-6)

Either we serve God or the devil. You can't serve both. Jesus said, "No man can serve two masters." (Luke 16:13)

Let's serve God that's the way to true happiness and eternal life. Don't serve Satan that's the way to sorrow and grief and eternal death! Don't be evil like the devil. Be good like God!

Amen.