So you want to be like Jesus, huh?
You’ve decided to be His ambassador and you consistently wear your W.W.J.D. (What Would Jesus Do) bracelet.
Good for you!
But what if you don’t know what Jesus would do?
It’s time to change that, and for starters, let’s learn about who God is.
1. Creator (Genesis 1:1)
In the beginning, God created time, space, light, planets, oceans, animals, plants, and people. Today, He continues to give repentant people new hearts. He created things for a purpose, and when it was over, He declared it all “good.”
2. Sustainer (Matthew 6:26)
After creation, God didn’t turn His back on the universe or plug His ears to our prayers. In Matthew 6:31–34, He promises to care for us and give us anything we need.
3. Promise-Keeper
In the previous section, I pointed out that God left us with a promise. But if you’ve felt the sting of betrayal when someone made a promise, then a simple promise probably isn’t going to be enough for you.
The good news is, God isn’t like that. He’s not one to forget or break His promises—and He’s made a lot of promises throughout the generations.
So I can guarantee that when God makes a promise to you, He’ll keep it.
4. Loving
When someone thinks about the title “God,” they might imagine a lightning-wielding little-G god feeding off the hunger of his people—but that’s not at all who the real God is.
Our God is loving. Throughout all sixty-six books, His love appears again and again to redeem His people. First, He gave us free will. After our disobedience and fall, He offered a way out through His Son. Next, He keeps His promises throughout the generations. Finally, He will return to His people—us—in the end.
Love doesn’t have to be so unreachable, either. God commands us to love others (John 15:12), and there are easy ways to show Christian love (1 Corinthians 13) to everyone you meet.
5. Just
Because God is loving, He also has to be just. He has to hold the perpetrator accountable for hurting the innocent, no matter how bad it looks. In the end, He is being kind.
Even though God condemns evil, He still offers a way out of our mistakes and broken path. If He didn’t, why bother to be saved? That’s why He also offers mercy.
6. Merciful
Of course, God understands that we mess up sometimes and we don’t want to make those same mistakes again.
So He offers us the salvation we don’t deserve.
It’s the ultimate “Get Out of Jail Free” card because once we take it, we can use it again and again and again.
He didn’t have to make the card. He didn’t have to pay the price. But He did.
Then He handed it to you, even though you probably should’ve just stayed out of jail in the first place. The question is, will you take it?
7. Master
As horrifying as “master” sounds, God isn’t a cruel, oppressive master with high expectations.
As bondservants, we willingly give our lives to Him because He’s not any of those things. He’s merciful, kind, loving, and just—should I continue? We serve Him because He treats us well, not because He terrorizes us into submission.
But He does give us a job that’s not always easy. Bondservants give their lives to their masters, and that means you can’t betray Him, serve another master, or stay on the fence anymore.
You’ve chosen.
You are His.
You serve Him and you don’t have any other masters anymore (Matthew 6:24).
8. Shepherd (John 10:11–16)
Shepherds protect, care for, and live with their sheep. When Jesus says that He’s the good shepherd, He’s promising to take care of us whenever we need Him.
9. Father
God is the best sort of father there could ever be. He gives us all we need, keeps His promises, and is always there with a listening ear.
We serve a fatherly God who wants what’s best for His children.
10. Friend
Friends are priceless. A good one sticks by you no matter how dark or impossible things get. They’ll cheer you on, fight for you when you’re knocked down, and hold you together when you feel broken.
In John 15:15, Jesus says He no longer calls us servants—He calls us friends.
What do these ten things tell you about who God is and what He wants to do in your life?
How will you let His definition shape your identity?
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