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REFLECTING OUR FATHER
A. Introduction: Sincere Christians often ask: What does God want me to do? Here’s the answer: God
wants you to seek to be like Jesus in your character and behavior. That is more important than anything else
you do in this life. So, we are taking time to talk about developing Christ-like character and behavior.
1. This topic has to be understood in connection with the big picture, or why God created us. Motivated by
love, God created us to become His holy, righteous sons and daughters through faith in Him. Eph 1:4-5
a. Almighty God created human beings with the capacity to be indwelled by His Spirit and then reflect
Him (His character) to the world around us, as we live in loving relationship with Him. When we
fulfill our created purpose, it brings glory and honor to Him. Eph 1:12
b. Before we go any further, we need to answer this question: How can a human being express the
glory of the Infinite, Eternal, and Transcendent God? We must understand that God has both non-
communicable (or non-transmittable) attributes and communicable (or transmittable) attributes.
1. God’s non-communicable attributes are those that belong to His essential Being and personality
as Almighty God. They are His alone—His Eternal Being (His eternal self-existence), His
Immutability (He is eternally the same), His Omnipresence (He is present everywhere at once),
His Omniscience (perfect knowledge), His Omnipotence (sovereignty and all power).
2. God’s communicable attributes are commonly called His moral attributes—righteousness,
holiness, justice, mercy, goodness, patience, long-suffering, love. Sons and daughters of God
can, and should, demonstrate these attributes. I Pet 1:15-16; Eph 5:1; etc.
c. Here’s another question: How is seeking to be like Jesus connected to reflecting God’s character to
the world around us? When Jesus on earth, He showed us what God’s sons and daughters look like.
1. Jesus is God incarnate, God become fully man without ceasing to be fully God. Jesus, in His
humanity is the pattern for God’s family. Rom 8:29
2. Jesus, as a man, was fully glorifying to His Father. He was obedient to His heavenly Father
and reflected His Father to the world around Him through His words and actions. John 14:9-10
2. Last week we said that one of Jesus’ primary purposes during His ministry, prior to His crucifixion, was
to introduce God as a loving Father who cares for His sons and daughters.
a. In the lesson we referred to the Sermon on the Mount which Jesus preached early in His ministry.
It is a representative sample of what Jesus taught during His three plus year ministry. Matt 5-7
b. Note Jesus’ first to reference to the Father: Let your light shine in front of others. Then they will
see the good things you do. And they will praise your Father who is in heaven (Matt 5:16, NIRV)
1. Jesus next mentioned God the Father in the context of how the Father treats people. Jesus
exhorted His listeners to treat people the way the Father does. That’s how we reflect Him.
2. Matt 5:44-48—But I say, love your enemies: Pray for those who persecute you. In that way
you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both
the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust, too…You are to be perfect,
even as your Father in heaven is perfect (NLT).
A. The Greek word that is translated perfect means complete and can be translated perfect or
mature. It comes from a word that means to set out for a definite point or goal.
B. Our goal should be to grow into maturity as sons and daughters of God who are like Jesus,
and who perfectly reflect our Heavenly Father, as Jesus did in His humanity.
C. Matt 5:48—You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect [that is,
grow into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper
height of virtue and integrity] (Amp).
c. We struggle with the word perfect because we hear it as what we must do, and we all fall short. But
Paul wrote that we can be perfect before we are fully Christ-like in character. Phil 3:12-15
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1. The will or desire to be perfect (like Jesus in attitudes and actions) comes before performance.
2. To be perfect before I am fully mature or complete, I must be fully committed to doing the will
of God at the level of maturity I am at)—not my will but yours. Matt 16:24
3. Paul urged Christians: Pattern after me, follow my example, as I imitate and follow Christ the Messiah
(I Cor 11:1, Amp). Yet Paul also wrote: Therefore, be imitators of God—copy Him and follow His
example—as well-beloved children [imitate] their father (Eph 5:1, Amp).
a. Paul understood that Jesus, as a man, showed us how God’s sons and daughters reflect the Father
by the way they live. Eph 5:2—Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of
Christ, who loved you and gave Himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins (NLT).
b. One of the primary ways that we express the character of God is through how we treat other people.
1. Notice what Paul wrote immediately preceding his statement about imitating God our Father:
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious
behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God
through Christ has forgiven you (Eph 4:31-32, NLT).
2. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus made it clear that the love we are to show to others is not a
feeling, but an action: In everything, do to others what you would want them to do to you, this
is what is written in the Law and the Prophets (Matt 7:12, NIRV).
4. Jesus called men and women to follow Him, copy Him, imitate Him, since He shows us what sons and
daughters of God look like. In the context of calling people to be like Him, Jesus said that He is meek
and humble: Take my yoke upon you (submit to Me), and learn from me (my example and teaching) for
I am gentle (meek) and lowly in heart (humble), and you will find rest for your souls (Matt 11:29, ESV).
a. The person who is humble sees himself as a servant of God and a servant of man. The one who is
meek is gentle, controls his anger, and treats others as he wants to be treated.
1. For several weeks we’ve been making the point that to follow Jesus’ example in humility and
meekness, we must recognize and deal with selfishness and pride in ourselves.
2. Because of Adam’s sin, we’re all born with the tendency to put ourselves first (selfishness) and
to exalt ourselves (pride). One of the primary ways that we exalt self is through judging others.
b. The classic passage on judging others is found in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 7:1-5). For the
rest of the lesson we’re going to begin to address this issue, to help us grow in Christ-likeness.
B. We live in a culture where sin abounds, is often celebrated, and to call sin, sin, has been termed judging
people. But aren’t we supposed to judge sin? To add to this dilemma, all of us see things in other people
which we don’t like. Is that wrong? Is that judging? Judging has to do with how we assess other people.
1. The word translated judge in the New Testament means to distinguish or to decide mentally or judicially.
By implication, it means to try, condemn, or punish.
a. We could say it this way: To judge means to form an opinion because you see something or
someone as distinct from you or the standard by which you live.
b. Judging isn’t always negative. We can judge a contest, an event, or a meal at a restaurant. When
we say: She’s beautiful or he’s doing a great job, we’re judging that person.
c. The type of judging most of us need help with is not when we see things that we like in other people,
but rather when we see things in other people that we don’t like or that we believe are wrong.
1. Judging, the kind of judging which can be sinful, is basically finding fault with others. We all
see things that are wrong in others. We can’t avoid it. In some cases, we’re supposed to do it.
2. There are two general categories of faults we see in others—moral issues and non-moral issues.
A. A moral issue is a sin issue, something that God says is wrong. In that case, our opinions
(or judgments) must be the same as God’s views on moral issues.
B. A non-moral issue is something that God’s Word (the Bible) is silent on, something we
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personally don’t like, or we personally believe is wrong (or right).
2. As noted earlier, Jesus made the classic statement on judging others in the Sermon on the Mount when
He said: Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be
judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Matt 7:1-2, NIV).
a. Jesus did not tell us not to judge. Rather, He told us how to judge. With what measure you judge
refers to how you judge. Measure refers to the standard you use to form your opinion. Jesus said
that you’ll be judged with the measure you use to judge others (a lesson for another day).
1. In this passage, Jesus warns against critical judgment where we find fault with another person,
and deal with them from a position of superiority—like a judge who is superior to everyone else
in court and has the power to condemn and declare guilty—Do not sit in judgment (20th Cent);
Do not judge and criticize and condemn others (NLT).
2. If Jesus meant that we can’t judge (or form opinions about things), then we cannot not obey
Matt 7:6 which says don’t cast your pearls before swine (give what is holy to those who won’t
listen to God’s wisdom) or Matt 7:15 which says beware of false prophets.
b. In the next three verses (Matt 7:3-5) Jesus described the type of judging that we’re not to do: Why
do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
Or, how can you say to your brother, Let me take the speck out of your eye, when there is a log in
your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly
to take the speck out of your brother’s eye (Matt 7:3-5, ESV). Notice several points.
1. There is an issue in a person’s life. Jesus doesn’t say if it is a moral or a non-moral issue.
Jesus doesn’t deal with the fellow who has the issue. He deals with the one noticing the issue.
2. Jesus asked that man two questions which were aimed at exposing the man’s motives. Why
are you looking at the other guy’s faults and not on your own faults (v3), and why are you
speaking to him about it? What right do you have to speak into his life (v4)?
A. The man who sees the speck appears to be pointing out the flaw for the good of the other
guy, but that can’t be his total motive, because Jesus calls him a hypocrite (v5).
B. The Greek word that is translated hypocrite means an actor. A hypocrite is a stage actor or
someone playing a role. A hypocrite displays qualities he does not actually possess.
3. In this case, it looks as though the man is pointing out the flaw for the other guy’s good, but
Jesus said: If your true concern is righteousness, then why don’t you deal with what you have
direct control over, your own log. Matt 7:5
A. Jesus was not taking issue with judging or forming opinions, or with believing that what
the other guy is doing is wrong. Jesus was dealing with the motive behind the judging.
Jesus was warning against harsh judgment of others from a position of superiority.
B. This fellow exalted himself. He put himself in a position of superiority over the other
man: You have a problem and I don’t, and I am qualified to fix you.
c. We have to realize that it is much easier to recognize and condemn faults in others than in ourselves
And, we all have a natural tendency to critically judge things in others which we ourselves do, and
then excuse or justify the same trait in ourselves. Rom 2:1
1. King David slept with a married woman and she became pregnant. David devised an elaborate
scheme to cover up what he had done. When David was unable to get the woman’s husband to
sleep with his wife to make it look as though he impregnated her, David sent the man to a battle
station where he was certain to be killed. David then married the woman. II Sam 11:1-27
2. God sent Nathan the prophet to David. Nathan told David a story about a rich man who took a
poor man’s beloved, hand-raised lamb, and killed it. David was furious and demanded the rich
man be killed for his theft and lack of pity. Nathan replied: You are that man. II Sam 12:1-7
3. Finding fault in others is a way to exalt ourselves. If you have a problem that I don’t have, or a problem
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that is worse than mine, then I am superior to you. If I can fix you, I am superior to you.
a. When we see faults in others, we often start out from a position of superiority in our own mind: I’d
never do anything that stupid!! But, the Bible makes it clear that we are all capable of making the
same kinds of mistakes and worse. I Cor 10:12-13; Gal 6:1
b. We exalt ourselves by assuming we’re qualified to judge situations when we don’t have all the facts.
We rush to judge without taking time to get the facts or understand the circumstances.
1. What a shame…to give advice before listening to the facts (Prov 18:13, NLT); He who states
his case first seems right, until his rival comes and cross examines him (Prov 18:17, mp).
2. Many dismissed Jesus as the Messiah because He came from Galilee not Bethlehem. They
made a judgment without having all the facts. John 7:41-42
4. There is a connection between judging people and how we talk about them—[My] brethren, do not speak
evil about or accuse one another. He that maligns (falsely accuses) a brother or judges his brother is
maligning and criticizing the Law and judging the Law. But if you judge the Law, you are not a
practicer of the Law but a censor and a judge [of it] (James 4:11, Amp).
a. God’s Law tells us to treat others as we want to be treated (James 2:8; Lev 19:18; Matt 7:12). None
of us want people speaking critically about us, belittling or dismissing us.
b. I realize that we do have to talk about problems and problems often involve other people. But, we
need to become aware of how much our talk about others is unnecessarily negative—what is wrong
with them, their faults and shortcomings—things not directly related to the problem.
c. How often do you make comments about someone you don’t know, who has nothing to with you or
your life (someone in the store whose looks you don’t like)? That person is known to God and
loved by Him. Jesus died for them, just as surely as He died for you.
5. The context of Jesus’ statement on judging gives us insight on how we are to judge. Following His
comments, Jesus reminded His listeners of how our Heavenly Father treats us—Go to your Father (ask,
seek, knock) because He is better than the best earthly Father. Matt 7:7-11
a. Then Jesus said: So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the
Law and the Prophets (Matt 7:12, ESV). In other words, the Father has treated you with love and
mercy. Therefore, treat others the way He has treated you, and as you wish to be treated.
b. When someone finds fault in you how do you want to be treated? Like a stupid idiot, or as a person
who has good reason for what you’re doing? As an object of humiliation and lectured like a two
year old? Do you want them to tell everyone about your fault? No, you want mercy and grace.
C. Conclusion: We have more to say about this next week. But consider these thoughts as we close. The
number one goal of your life should be to grow in Christ-likeness in every area of your life, so that you
accurately reflect your Heavenly Father to the world around you.
1. We will see things in other people which we don’t like or agree with, both moral and non-moral issues.
And, we are going to judge them or form opinions about what we see. As you judge, ask yourself:
a. Why am I looking at his faults instead of my own? What right do I have to speak into his life? Is
it any of my business? Do his actions directly affect me in any way?
b. Do you see yourself as better than them because you don’t do what they do? Are you condemning
them and hoping for their punishment? Is it your desire to lift that person up or put him down?
2. When in a position where judgment (or forming an opinion) is called for, show mercy. When you’re in
doubt about how to treat someone, show mercy. God is kind to the unthankful and the evil. Luke 6:35
a. Recognize that you may not have all the facts. Even if you have the facts, you can’t see their heart.
Ask yourself: Am I assigning a motive to that person which I can’t possibly know?
b. If you think someone is doing something ridiculous, why not assume they have a good reason for it.
If you hear something bad about someone, refuse it or find the good in it. Much more next week!
