Just Like Dad - Part 1

The Holy Spirit tells us through the Apostle Paul tells us, "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children." (Ephesians 5:1) This is not just some casual statement that Paul is making. He literally means that believers are to copy God's actions and speech exactly. It means to act like God Himself. Now for many, this may seem difficult to believe or it might even seem absurd, but there lies the problem, not agreeing with God's Word. Jesus tells a parable that reveals why many people have such a difficult time believing God's Word. He tells us a parable that we have entitled "The Parable of the Soils." He reveals some important information concerning this particular parable by asking two questions, "...Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?" (Mark 4:13) So, why is this parable so important for believers to understand? Let's see...

Jesus starts the parable by saying, “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow." (Mark 4:3) To get a better understanding of this parable, let us look at Jesus' explanation of it a piece at a time. "The sower sows the word" that is, the Word of God. (Mark 4:14) Simply put, to sow is to scatter (seed) over the ground for growing. In this parable the ground in which God's Word is to be sown, is the human heart, man's spirit, for the purpose of "growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18) James tells us to, "...receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your soul." (James 1:21) The more a believer sows God's Word, the more they become imitators of God. The Apostles Paul also says, "...being transformed into the same image (of the Lord) from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:18) Unfortunately, for many believers, they are quick to gloss over this highly important point in this parable. Let's look at why this is so.

In Genesis chapter one we see the account of creation. Nine times we see, "then God said." (Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26, 29) In the earth ministry of Jesus, the Son of God, Jesus tells us, "...Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner." (John 5:19) "...I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things." (John 8:28) "...I always do those things that please Him (the Father)." (John 8:29) "I speak what I have seen with My Father..." (John 8:38) "For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak." (John 12:49-50) Without doubt, Jesus was imitating God the Father in His words and actions. Do you see the pattern here? "God said...and it was so." (Genesis 1:3, 7, 9, 11, 14, 20-21, 24, 26-31) Jesus only spoke the words of the Father and I might add, it too, was so. 

It is no different for the believer. Believers are to be imitators of our Heavenly Father just like Jesus was during His ministry on earth. This is one of the most important areas for the believers life, sow (speak) God's Word continuously. Moses went to Pharaoh a number of times and spoke God's Word to Him in saying, "The Lord God of the Hebrews has sent me to you saying, Let My people go..." (Exodus 7:16, 8:1, 20, 9:1, 13, ) If we fully read this account, we will see that Moses continually spoke God's Word, the Word eventually prevailed over the circumstances and the children of Israel were released from their bondage. (Exodus 12:31) But it did not stop there. The power behind God's Word spoken from the lips of Moses unleashed ten plagues that covered Egypt, but had no effect on the children of Israel (Exodus 7 - 12) Also, Israel left Egypt with their possessions, all of the Egyptians wealth, (Exodus 12:31-36) and the entire nation had perfect health. (Psalm 105:37) 

God tells Joshua, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." (Joshua 1:8) Notice, the first thing that God tells Joshua concerning His word is, "This Book of the Law (God's Word) shall not depart from your mouth..." God commanded Joshua first and foremost to continuously speak His Word. Why is that? Paul tells us, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) We are to speak, that is, confess God's Word because it causes faith grow. Paul does not say that faith comes by having heard the Word, but hearing and hearing and hearing, etc. the Word of God.    

Speaking, that is, confessing God's Word is the pattern that God reveals in creation. Throughout the Bible we see the same with the people of God, speaking God's Word. The gospel of John is where we see this in Jesus' ministry on earth which also reveals incredible results. Why is that?  "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11) "The Word of God is living and powerful..." (Hebrews 4:12) God's Word is as powerful today as it was when He first spoke it. "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8) So, we have a choice. We can confess God's Word continuously, have our faith built up and see the salvation of the Lord in incredible ways or we can confess the problems of life and muddle our way through life letting the problems literally squeeze the life out of us. 

Look at the words of a very wise man, "You are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth." (Proverbs 6:2) "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21) Jesus tells us, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63) In other words, the words of the flesh have no intrinsic value because they do not produce life. In fact, as we saw in Proverbs, negative confession literally snares us, traps us, and produces death. I want to encourage you today by saying, "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:29-30) Corrupt words do not only mean obscene or filthy conversation, but any words that do not produce good fruit. Yes, corrupt words from our mouth will grieve the Holy Spirit. So, let us begin to speak edifying words by doing as Paul tells us, "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Exercising an attitude of thanksgiving in all things will aid us in promoting healthy, edifying, good fruit bearing words, that is, confessing God's Word, because it always bears good fruit.  

In the next part of this series, we will continue to address the power of our confession as we continue to look at "The Parable of the Soils." The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all..."