“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35, ESV
Have you ever looked at a child and said without a doubt that they look just like their mother and/or father or that they must be such-and-such’s son or daughter? I know my daughter has had many people tell her she looks just like me. I’m not quite sure how she feels about it but, I’m not gonna lie, I love it when that happens! There is no mistaking she belongs to me. Incredibly, at times, I can look at a picture of her and feel like I’m looking at myself because the resemblance is so remarkable. It brings an overwhelming sense of joy and pride that she is my daughter, and no one can deny it when they see us. Not only do others see the likeness in our appearance, but they recognize the similarities in our mannerisms and the things we say and do as well. She has my DNA, so it’s pretty inevitable she would have some of my features and traits.
When we are born again, we begin to look like our Heavenly Father by taking on His nature. The bible tells us that the world will know we are Christians by our love. Christlike love is unmistakable; it is a trait of the Father and when people experience (see) that love, they recognize us as His children. Children of God are peacemakers, they bear the fruit of the spirit which includes joy, kindness, goodness and faithfulness. They have a heart like their Father, forgiving, generous and merciful. And they have eyes like their Father, seeing others as He sees them, full of compassion and grace.
As we grew up with our parents, we developed similar mannerisms and ways of doing and saying things and the more apparent it became that we belonged to them. When we spend time in the Father’s presence, His nature becomes our nature until we become a reflection of Him and there’s no denying that we are His. We begin to grow into the image He created us to be; talking like Him, walking like Him and acting like Him. The greatest compliment and my heart’s desire is that one day when others look at me, they are able to say “She looks like her Father”. As earthly parents, that statement brings great joy. We are His pleasure, so can you imagine how that would make our Heavenly Father feel?
Scriptures
“To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24, ESV
“Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” I John 2:6, ESV
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2, ESV
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Romans 8:14, ESV
Prayer:
Lord, my prayer is that others will recognize that I am a son/daughter of God. I pray that my heart will reflect Your heart and my eyes will see others as You see them. Develop in me the fruit of the spirit and the evident love of Christ.
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