Man and God

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 6
“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and prophets” (Matt. 7:1212Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12)).
The law and the prophets bore testimony as to what man should be, both to men and to God. Christianity bears testimony as to what God is to man.
Then, when this revelation of God, in the Person of His Son becoming Man, is received by grace through faith, we are called to be imitators of God. What a blessed thought! How elevating to the soul, to realize that now, as His children, we have not simply to show what man should be, but now are called to “be  .  .  . imitators of God, as beloved children” (Eph. 5:11Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; (Ephesians 5:1) JND).
Oh! to represent Him in light in this scene of darkness, to represent His heart of love in this world of hate. He has declared Himself at Calvary’s cross. Until then, our Lord’s heart was straightened, unable to show Himself in love to man. Until then (Calvary) that great light could not “shine out of darkness” (2 Cor. 4:66For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)). Now He is revealed, in light and in love, and now we represent Him as to what He is. “What hath God wrought” (Num. 23:2323Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought! (Numbers 23:23)).