While reading the other day about the love of God, the words ‘pattern of love’ came to mind. The word pattern actually means to repeat a decorative design. Mankind was creatively designed by God Almighty in His image (Genesis 1:26). We were created to be like God; to be holy, loving, compassionate, merciful, giving, forgiving, kind, gentle, joyous, have self-control, and peace, (Galatian 5:22-23). As Christians, we are to repeat His character in our lives!

The Bible tells us to be followers of God which indicates to imitate Him. Or we could say that we are to ‘pattern’ our lives after Him. When a person imitates another, they endeavor to be like them. People use patterns in all kinds of vocations or hobbies; such as sewing or woodworking to name a couple. They use a pattern to make a copy of the original. We are to repeat the originality of God’s character in our lives and become a ‘copy’ of Him – so others can see His goodness and mercy.

God’s basic pattern is love. Everything He does is based on his love. John 3:16 confirms His love for us, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jesus said in John 6:38, that He came down from heaven, not to do his own will, but the will of him that sent him.

When we want to know God’s character, all we have to do is look at the life of Jesus. Jesus told Philip in John 14:9 that anyone who has seen Him has seen the Father. We see who Jesus is when we read and study the Bible. Jesus also said himself in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus imitated God’s goodness, His mercy, His holiness, and His desire to meet the needs of people. Acts 10:38 teaches us that “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil, for God was with him.”

Jesus showed us the pattern of how we are to live to be like God by living a life of holiness, love, kindness, compassion, mercy, and forgiveness. He showed us how to live in victory over the temptations and trials of this world when He spoke the Word of God in faith over those situations. The temptations of Jesus, and His victories over them are found in Matthew 4, and Luke 4.

I encourage you to follow the pattern of Jesus’ life and ministry and you will be following the pattern of love – God’s love.