Sunday, October 23, 2011

Who are you imitating?

Let me preface what I am about to talk about I have not gone over completely with my husband.  That is, I have not gotten all the little details about this coaching strategy.  I am only telling you what I have picked up on and talked with him about over the years.  I really hope I don't butcher it - because I really feel strongly about this point the Lord has shown me.  :)

Have you ever heard the term scout team?  If not, this is what it is.  During practice at some point (coaches plan and design practices differently, but this is incorporated at some point in every teams agenda) the players will "scrimmage" each other.  When this is done, the coaches focus on one side at a time - offense or defense.  For example, when they are working with the defense, the offense (usually 2nd or 3rd string) will line up and run plays just like the upcoming opposing teams offense does.  They imitate the other team.  Got that? This is done so the defense will be ready for what they are facing on Friday night.  And vice-versa.


Now in football you are imitating the opposing team - the enemy - in order to make your team stronger, better.  And of course I am not telling you to imitate the enemy, but instead imitate the One who can make you stronger, better. 

Ephesians 5:1-21 says this:

  1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
 3But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous ( that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7Therefore do not become partners with them; 8for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

    "Awake, O sleeper,
   and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Well, to me this pretty much sums it up.  If there is ever any question how a Believer should live - the answer is in this passage.  Christ is so pure and good.  We are to imitate that.  I know its hard sometimes, but that doesn't mean we stop or choose to not be like Him.  It means we surrender, tell Him you need help - He already knows anyway :)  It means we choose (take action) to let go of the things of this world - all of it!

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