by Doug Clore

Created on: February 06, 2010   Last Updated: February 11, 2010

“I will be like the Most High.”  Good idea or not so smart?  Turns out it wasn't such a good idea for Satan.  In spite of Satan's failed results, being like God is actually a good thing.  God gave some strong indications of this when he said, “Be holy even as I am holy,” and once more, “Be imitators of God,” both of which speak of patterning our conduct after Him. In order  to be like God, we need to study what He's like, and then identify appropriate imitation.  God's encounters with man in the Old Testament provide an inexhaustible source of instruction concerning His character and an unending litany of examples for imitation.  Our love and respect for God will grow as we learn about him, and our personal joy will increase as we experience the fulfillment that comes from imitating not only God's actions, but also the desires of His heart.            

God's word is true.  When God speaks, it is certain that he will follow through.   Arguably the most important instance of God's truthfulness comes early in recorded history.  When Adam and Eve failed to follow God's instructions, they became lost and without hope.  So far as they knew, there was no plan of redemption, no way to atone for their sin.   In fear and shame they attempted to hide their nakedness, but nothing could cover the stain that disobedience had left on their souls. Then God spoke the words that made all the difference.  He foretold the day when the woman's offspring would crush the head of the serpent, and in that instant He settled  man's future.   In that moment, our way of salvation was as sure as if Christ had already come, had already been crucified, and had already risen, as sure as if we had already been called to follow Jesus and had already responded, repenting from our sin and following Him.  It was all settled at the moment God said it would happen. Thousands of years later, true to His word, God sent His Son to crush the serpent's head.  How good it would be if we spoke a promise to follow God and He could count on us to be true to our word, just as we count on Him. When we determine to answer God's call and follow Him, what a joy it is to take up our cross daily, to put our hand to the plow and not look back, to determine with Joshua that we will serve the Lord.          

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