I love watching impersonators. It amazes me how someone can pick up another person’s voice, expressions, and mannerisms so accurately. I occasionally try it at home, but my kids usually look at me like, “Who are you supposed to be?” Apparently, enjoying impersonations and being good at them are two very different things.

But there is one kind of imitation every Christian is called to practice: imitating our Heavenly Father.

Ephesians 5:1–2 calls us to imitate God as dearly loved children and walk in love, following Christ’s example. Think about that. We are called to love God, worship Him, and know Him. But those things should shape the way we live. As we grow in our relationship with Him, we should increasingly reflect His character.

Think about it, children naturally pick up characteristics from their parents. At some point, you have probably heard something come out of your mouth and thought, “I sound just like my dad!” Or maybe you caught yourself doing something your mother always did. Spending years with someone leaves an impression.

The same should be true in our relationship with God. Closeness should produce likeness.

Second Corinthians 3:18 describes believers being transformed into the Lord’s image through the work of His Spirit. That means spiritual growth involves becoming more like Jesus. His patience begins showing up in our responses. His compassion changes how we see people. His love influences how we handle difficult conversations.

Here is a question to ask yourself: Do I look more like Jesus today than I did a year ago?

That question challenges me because I can easily measure the books I have read, sermons I have heard, and Bible studies I have attended. Measuring whether I am becoming more patient, generous, forgiving, and gracious requires a little more honesty.

Over the years in ministry, I have heard people say, “I just want to go deeper.” I understand that desire. We should study Scripture carefully and grow in our understanding of God. But we also need to ask what we mean by deeper. Are we seeking something else to learn while overlooking something we already need to obey?

We can study the Good Samaritan and still walk past someone who needs help. We can explain grace while making people feel they will never be good enough. We can discuss the gifts of the Spirit while showing very little of the fruit of the Spirit.

And before you think I am pointing fingers, I need this reminder too.

Going deeper means living out what we have learned about Jesus.

If I study how Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, that truth should change my willingness to serve. If I learn about forgiveness, it should influence what I do with the person who hurt me. If I read about generosity, it should eventually affect what I am willing to give.

Knowledge becomes fruitful when we respond to God in obedience.

This week, before asking God to show you something new, consider asking, “Lord, what have You already shown me that I need to put into practice?” Maybe you need to apologize, encourage someone, or take on a responsibility you have been avoiding. That next step may be where your growth begins.

Thankfully, transformation is a process. God is working in us through His Spirit, and we can keep responding to Him one decision at a time. We will need His grace along the way.

The goal is to become children who increasingly resemble their Father. In the next post, we will explore how that resemblance shows up through our eyes, our words, our hands, and our feet.