When I was growing up there was an anti-smoking commercial similar
to this one that
emphasized the influence parents have on their children. There are lots of idioms
that infer a child takes after their parent in terms of behavior, character, or
appearance—"Spittin’ image”, “The apple doesn't fall far from the tree”, “A
chip off the old block”, “Like father, like son”, “Like mother, like daughter”.
The Bible offers similar truths. “Iron sharpens iron.” (Proverbs 27:17) “Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life.” (Proverbs 22:6) Speaking of Himself, Jesus said, “The Son does what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows Him everything He is doing.” (John 5:19-20)
In chapter 5 verse 1 of Paul’s letter to the Ephesian, he says, “Since you are God's dear children, you must try to be like him.” The rest of this chapter goes on to tell us how we can be more like our Heavenly Father by letting love control our lives, giving thanks to God, living a life filled with goodness, righteousness, and truth, making good use of opportunities, encouraging one another with God’s Word, and submitting to one another in our marriage relationships.
There is also a list of behaviors we are to avoid that are NOT a reflection of our Heavenly Father, such as gossiping about sexual immorality and indecency, using obscene, profane, or vulgar language, being immoral, indecent, or greedy, hanging out with disobedient people, allowing ourselves to be deceived by foolish talk.
Trying to learn and to live what pleases the Lord so that we can be more like Him seems impossible. That’s why He gave us His Holy Spirit! Jesus says in John 16 that the Spirit will teach us, guide us, empower us, and embolden us so that we can be witnesses for our Heavenly Father and can reflect His love, wisdom, goodness, truth, and righteousness. And one day we will hopefully hear, “Like Father, like son/daughter.”
Be encouraged!
