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If you have been a Christian for any amount of time you probably desire to imitate the Father. As we grow in Christ our most important desire is to imitate the Father as best we can. Jesus was our prime example of how to imitate the Father because He showed us His Father’s will.
In my last blog, Father’s Heart Revelation – You Are God’s Child, I stated the importance of knowing God as our Father. This revelation is so important, yet many people miss it.
Since we know God as our Father, we desire to imitate Him. I want to be like my Heavenly Father. Often, as a child I was told I was ‘the spitting image of my father’. Of course, they were talking about my earthly father. This is great; however, I want to be the spitting image of my Heavenly Father.
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:26, 27
We were made in His image. Let’s learn how to become like Him.
1. Imitate Him will come naturally
We don’t have to strive for things of His nature. He has already given it to us. We must walk in them. As we walk in His will, we will automatically be transformed into His image. Sometimes we imitate our father without ever realizing it. Now that I’m older, I often realize that I have many traits of my father. I didn’t work for them, some I may not have even wanted; however, they are there. When we make seeking God our top priority, we see that He will be formed in us. God already lives on the inside of you!
Relax, allow God to pour out His Spirit in you. Learn to obey when He prompts you. Follow His leading. You will act like Him before you know it. Yes, you will fail at times, however, He will cause you to walk in victory for He always leads us in triumph!
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14
2. Know your father
This is key. We must know our father. Of course, some traits will come automatically as we were born with them. Therefore, people who grew up without a Father will often end up just like them. Most of the men I work with have followed in the footsteps of their Father. They didn’t want to nor do they work at it. It just happened.
The more we get to know our Heavenly Father the more we will become like Him. We get to know Him by reading the Bible and seeking His Face. Sometimes we believe we must do a bunch of things to become like Him, but really, we just need to know Him better.
Make time each day to seek Him. Read His Word. Don’t just read or listen to other preachers. Make His Presence the top priority in your life. As you do, you will find that you become transformed into His image.
3. Imitate because it is in your DNA
It is a part of who you are. He lives on the inside of you. You can’t help but be like Him! Just like you inherited traits from your earthly father, you have also inherited traits from your Heavenly Father! You will act like Him, sometimes without knowing that you do.
The more we get to know Him, the more we will see Him working in us transforming us into His image. Let His Presence control your life.
To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27
Conclusion:
Rest in the fact that your Heavenly Father is working in you to be more like Him. Seek His Presence. Read His Word but allow Him to transform you. The more you seek Him, the more you will become like Him. His heart will be your heart.
My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you. Galatians 4:19
Paul’s desire for all Christians was that they would become like Christ. I don’t only want to become like Christ I would like others to join me in this as well. I pray for you to be made into God’s image!
Steven Stoffelsen
Author of Trusting God’s Timing
Founder of House of Refuge Street Ministries
