A Family Resemblance

 

A FAMILY RESEMBLANCE

By: Julie Souza Bradley Lilly

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” - Ephesians 5:1-2. 

We have all seen people that look like their dogs, and older couples that have spent so many years together, that they take on the same mannerisms, can finish one another’s sentences and look more like twins than husband and wife.  

I don’t know about you, but I want that oneness with God. I want to be changed to think like He thinks, love like He loves and respond to the insults of this world with the same exuberant forgiveness.  

Recent tensions have exposed a short fuse I had hoped was in my past.  It grieves me, because this vestige of decaying flesh smells more of Hell than of Heaven.  They say we become like those with whom we spend the most time.  So sadly, this revelation bears witness that I have spent too much time with the world, but not enough with my Father. 

If we want to be like Jesus, we need regular time with Him.  We need to let Him lead and have His way for those traits to become our own.  Do you want to be like Jesus, Beloved?  Pray with me.

Father, draw us close to You.  In Your presence cleanse us with the water of Your Word; wash away the clinging dust of lingering sin, and clothe us with the righteousness of Christ.  May we take up a fragrant garment of praise, and carry ourselves, in word and deed, as children of God.

Lord, we do a transforming work within us.  Change us into the image of Your Son, with hearts that beat with compassion and eyes that see things as they truly are. 

Abba Father, cause us to linger in Your presence, soaking in Your glory.  May our flesh fall away, so the Spirit of Christ may rule and reign within us.  And as we walk through this life, may the world know to whom we belong, because when they look at us, they can see Jesus.  In Jesus’ Name ❤️

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