Crucified With Christ

“Be imitators of God as dear children.”

—Ephesians 5:1, NKJV

The story is told of a man who glanced at the obituary column in his local newspaper. To his surprise he saw his own name, indicating that he had just died. At first he laughed about it. But soon the telephone began to ring. Stunned friends and acquaintances called to inquire and to offer their sympathy.

Finally, in irritation, he called the newspaper editor and angrily reported that even though he had been reported dead in the obituary column, he was very much alive. The editor was apologetic and embarrassed. Then in a flash of inspiration, he said, “Don’t worry, sir, I’ll make it all right; tomorrow I’ll put your name in the births column.”

This may sound like merely a humorous incident, but it is also a spiritual parable. Not until we have allowed our old selves to be nailed to the Cross and to die can our new selves be born again and emerge to grow up into the likeness of Christ. The Bible is marvelously true: “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins. . . . Therefore be imitators of God as dear children” (Ephesians 2:1; 5:1).

Hope for Today

As children of God, we can both obey His commands and copy His behavior, knowing we have been raised to imitate our heavenly Father.