DAILY READING
REFLECTION
The Big "I"
by Mary Alice McGinnis
Sin is not a popular word these days. Many shy away from using this word, even among Christians. We are tempted to minimize its existence, thinking we humans are not really that bad. Instead of saying “sin,” (which seems too “churchie"), we might feel more comfortable using words like “mistakes,” “flaws,” or “failures.”
When Paul writes to the Church in Ephesus, he pinpoints some specific “sins” that were prevalent in their culture. Sexual sin was rampant. Obscenity was their native language. Greed was a way of life. What about your world today?
Paul puts all these issues under these categories:
Immorality
Impurity
Idolatry
All these begin with the letter "I".
Have you ever noticed that the word SIN has “I” at the center? If we think about it, the root of all sin is “I”. I need to please myself by whatever means.
Greed has idolatry at its core – the need to take for myself what is not rightfully mine – placing ME and MY needs on the throne of my heart to be worshipped.
Paul points us to a different way. “Follow God’s example. . .”
This phrase is also translated to “be imitators of God.”
When you were a child, whom did you want to imitate? A parent, a coach, a teacher, or someone else you looked up to? What inspired you about them? I am guessing that those that we want to imitate are those that shower us with LOVE.
We are God’s “dearly loved children.” What did He do for us? Jesus, “loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Picture Jesus right now, hanging down on that cross, looking across time right at YOU. He sees you. He looks deeply into your eyes and says, “I am doing this for YOU!”
Paul’s encouragement to the Church in Ephesus – surrounded by a sinful culture – was to live a different way. We are so grateful and praise God for all He has done for us. We shout a loud Hallelujah! But Paul also invites us to also carry that praise into our day-to-day lives and put it into action.
“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
PRAYER
Lord, show me where are You calling me to “walk in the way of love” today. Teach me to value others above myself. Forgive me for the times I get wrapped up in the “I” of sin. Help me to put away any immorality, impurity, or idolatry - things I worship other than YOU. Wash me clean because of the fragrant offering of Jesus who came to set me free. Thank You for calling me YOUR CHILD, and into Your Kingdom. Make me an IMITATOR of YOU.
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