By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
- 1 John 3:10 (ESV)
True Christians are children of God. It is a relationship that has been made possible through the finished work of Jesus Christ (John 1:12-13). Now, being a child is more than just having a relationship with a father. Yes, to be able to call the almighty, everlasting God our Father is the greatest blessing we can ever receive. But the authenticity of sonship is evidenced by living a life that is led by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14-16), by practicing righteousness, by loving others, and by sinning less over time (1 John 3:4-10). It means that the son takes on the nature of the father. Hence, a child of God takes on the nature of God the Father. Likewise, a man that is separated from or living independent of God, takes on the nature of his father who is the devil.
This does not mean that Christians become omnipresent or omniscient like God. Rather, as children of God and having been made new, our lives will show imprints of God's character. This is how we are able to follow this command that, at first glance, seems impossible to follow:
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
-Ephesians 5:1 (ESV)
So how do we become like our Father? How does having God's character show in our works?
In our loving:
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. -John 13:34 (ESV)
In forgiving:
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.-Colossians 3:13 (ESV)
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.-Colossians 3:13 (ESV)
In pursuing of holiness:
As obedient children,do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."-1 Peter 1:14-16 (ESV)
As obedient children,do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."-1 Peter 1:14-16 (ESV)
In working for unity:
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. -John 17:22-23 (ESV)
In humility:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! -Philippians 2:3-8 (NIV)
In being generous:
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." - 2 Corinthians 9:7-9 (ESV)
So, whose your daddy?
