Monkey see, monkey do

My son is getting to that age where he follows me around the house and tries to do what I do. If I’m talking, he babbles. If I’m in the kitchen, he’s opening cabinets. If I’m eating, he wants to eat what I’m eating. I absolutely love this about him.

In John 5, Jesus explained that he did the same thing. He said that he only does what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. We need to emulate that as well. We need to be doing what the Father is doing.

That same passage lists 4 things that Jesus said His Father does and that we can too.

1. Do greater works

There is more that each of us can do for the Kingdom. Jesus’ ministry on earth was more than teaching. It was doing. He got out there and went where the religious leaders refused to go so that He might win those who were unreachable. He went into their homes and lived a life that challenged them.

Rarely do we see Jesus preaching to someone inside their home. He ate with them and conversed with them. By his actions in their home, they were convicted and changed their ways. He was concerned with building relationships to win the lost…and it worked.

2. Give life

Jesus spoke life into others. He looked for opportunities to give life to others. Most of us look for reasons not to give life. We make excuses why we shouldn’t speak to someone else about what God has done for us. Jesus didn’t make excuses and neither should we.

The world is looking for someone to bring them a life changing message. They are spinning their wheels and going nowhere. They are lost and alone. They need someone to bring light into their world and to speak life to them. Don’t hold back and pick and choose who you give life to. Share it with everyone you have the opportunity to.

3. Judge no one

Judgement is not yours to give. This passage makes it clear, that is Jesus’ job. Your job is to extend grace. We are quick to withhold grace from others but expect others to offer us grace. Extend the grace you think you deserve to others. Show them the love that the Father has for them.

When the religious leaders wanted to stone the woman caught in adultery, they brought her before Jesus first. He didn’t judge her. He said, “Let him without sin cast the first stone.” She was clearly guilty, but that didn’t mean she needed judgement. She needed grace. Look for opportunities to share the grace of Christ with others.

4. Honor the Son

When you honor Jesus, you honor the Father. How do you honor the Son? By doing what He asks, living like He commanded and recognizing that nothing you do or have is of your own doing. He gives to us what He can trust us with. He expects us to use the talents and resources we’ve been given for His glory and His purpose.

If you want to honor the Son, do what He asks you to do. Speak to those He wants you to speak to. Go where He wants you to go. It’s easier said than done. He asks for us to surrender to His will and to carry His cross, not to do our will and to carry our burdens. Give Him honor by living a life worthy of the call He has given you.

What can you do today that you see the Father doing? What implications will that have on someone else’s life? You have the opportunity today to do what you see the Father doing. Step out in faith and accomplish His will for you.