Imitation is Flattery

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 NIV

They say imitation is the highest form of flattery. Well, so did the writer on this letter to the Corinthians. I like the way the Bible app summarized this verse: we should honor God by trying to be just like Him. Imitation at its best don't you think?

We all fight against ending up being like our parents even though we know it's going to happen. We all say, "I will never say that" and then we do. We all think we will never do or act like our parents, and then we do. We are a product of our parents and we do take on their traits. And is it so bad that we end up like them? I mean my mom and dad are pretty awesome so it's not all that terrible that I say and do what they did.

So if we imitate our parents so easily why do we find it hard to imitate God? I would think that God our father would be the ultimate parent to emulate and imitate. And this verse extols us to do just that. God is holy, so we must be holy. God is righteous, so we must be righteous. God is without sin, so we must be without sin. All this is utterly impossible without the cleansing blood of Jesus. Once we are covered it is important to stay in fellowship with him so that we may learn his ways.

Don't go looking for imitations. Imitate the real thing. It's worth it.