In Difficult Conversations:  “Be Imitators of God”

Contributed by:  Susan Posey, Redeemer Lutheran

“Be Imitators of God” was the title of our Pastor’s recent sermon.  My thought was, “Well, that’s a pretty tall order – exactly how are we to do that?”  Pastor Sandy Kessinger’s sermon was based on Paul’s instructions in Ephesians 4:25 – 5:2.  What are these instructions and how do they apply to the here and now when many of us are overwhelmed by current events and simply cannot understand the political views of some of our friends, neighbors and family members?

Is feeling anger ever appropriate?  Yes!  Pastor Kessinger’s take is that, “It is the emotion that kicks in when we fight injustice or unfairness, when we need to defend our rights or the rights of others.”  She goes on to say that it is what we do with our anger that makes it either destructive or instructive.  According to Paul, we are to, “speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another.  Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil.” (Ephesians 4: 25-27).  Our challenge, according to Pastor Kessinger, is to “express our needs in such a way that we show respect to others and ourselves.”  “We are not to tell lies but always speak the truth in love.  It is okay to be angry but we are not to let our anger linger or turn into sin.”

And if that is not challenge enough, Pastor Kessinger went on to say:

“On the heels of dealing with anger in good and healthy ways, we hear the call to be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving.  I believe it is that element of forgiveness that helps to distinguish us from others.  We are to forgive each other as God forgives us.  We are to love each other as God loves us.  We are to lead selfless, God-pleasing lives.  It is in these ways that we stand in union with the grace-filled activity of God.  It is in these ways that we are imitators of God.  We are all created to be like God so let that light shine for the world to see.”

All of Ephesians Chapter 4, Pastor Kessinger surmises, is Paul making the point that who we are is reflected in what we do.  “Simply put, Paul says, we are to be imitators of God.”

On October 6, Tysons Interfaith will partner with Dr. Al Fuertes of George Mason to present a webinar discussion about how our spiritual side or our religious traditions can help us bridge emotional divisions.  I hope many will join us for this timely and important conversation.  In the meantime, Pastor Kessinger’s commentary on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is an example of one Christian community’s take on how to handle today’s difficult conversations.  For me, this message is a great source of instruction, inspiration and hope for the future.  I hope it is for you as well.

This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.