Imitation vs. Transformation

August 22

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and if that is true, it is the first flattery that we extend to anyone. Children, from a very early age, attempt to walk and talk and behave as they see their parents doing. They even want to 'dress up' in their parents’ clothing so they can more fully replicate what they see in Mommy and Daddy.

God must have instilled this trait within us with the intention that children would have good adult role models after whom to pattern their own behavior. Because man has fallen from his lofty estate, however, little ones do not always have worthy role models to emulate.

From an early age, children can be observed to lie and cheat and inflict harm upon other little ones. We wonder how they could possibly be so cruel until we observe their parents’ behavior. As the old cliché states, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Little children pattern themselves after the adults to whom they are close. Fortunately, in spite of the fact that we have all fallen short when it comes to being good role models for the impressionable youngsters around us, there is One after whom we may all pattern ourselves.

I John 3:2 says, “We are children of God and what we will be has not yet been made known, but we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” Our glorious Savior desires that we be influenced to the uttermost by what we see in Him. He has lived the perfect life, so we know what His expectations are. We may not achieve His level of perfection, and we may fail to let His light shine through us now, but when we see Him face-to-face, we shall be transformed to His own glorious image—not in vain flattery but in conformation to His radiant perfection.