August 13, 2024 

Today's Reading: Ephesians 4:17-5:2

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 31:1-13; 1 Corinthians 7:1-24

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. (Ephesians 5:1)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

What does it mean to imitate God? The sinner in me would enjoy having the ultimate power. I could call down fire on people who I don’t like - those sinners (not me) - those *other* sinners. It seems great to think about having all the knowledge, all the power, and all the authority. I could do whatever I wanted! But maybe that’s actually the problem. 

As sinners, we work by the Law. We want things to be fair. We want others to get punished. We want to ‘get away with something.’ In general, we are the worst. In fact, we are dead in our sins. And yet, God comes to us while we are dead and breathes new life into us. In Baptism, He washes us in Jesus’ Blood and claims us as His own. We humbly receive more than our sinful minds can even understand. 

So, what does it mean to imitate God? Well, the rest of the verse gives us some context— we imitate God as beloved children. We get to witness to others what it means to be beloved! We get to share the Gospel— the Good News that Jesus paid for the sins of the whole world and that we are truly forgiven. We have God’s love. We have God’s mercy. We have God’s Name. We have God’s kept promises! We have the best message ever! 

As sinners, we have to be reminded that we are the worst— we would prefer to live and die by the Law. But as Baptized saints, we rejoice in being the Lord’s beloved. We rest securely in our identity as children of God. We go to the Divine Service and receive in our ears, on our lips, and in our mouths the assurance of Jesus’ love and forgiveness. That is what we get to imitate. That is what we get to reflect to those around us. And when we fail, as we will, we remember: we are beloved children. We come back to God and receive His forgiveness anew. 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord, ‘tis not that I did choose Thee; That, I know, could never be; For this heart would still refuse Thee Had Thy grace not chosen me. Thou hast from the sin that stained me Washed and cleansed and set me free And unto this end ordained me, That I ever live to Thee. (LSB 573:1)

-Deac. Sarah Longmire, Bible study editor for Higher Things.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

The Lutheran Confessions play a vital role in the church—both centuries ago, and today. But, do they apply to the daily life of a layperson? Pastor Andy Wright offers a resounding “yes” in his book, Faithfully Formed. He quotes, summarizes, and synthesizes key teachings from the Confessions, revealing their relevance in the daily lives of ordinary people.