Genealogies hold a fascination for many of us. So much so, movies such as Roots have been watched by millions. I just found a box of family photos that were from my Grandmother. It has been interesting to look at the old pictures, some dating back to the 1800’s. The genes on my Grandfather’s side are particularly strong. There is a family resemblance that starts with him and his brothers and is carried on through his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. In fact, my cousins on this side of the family and my sister and I look more like brothers and sisters rather than just cousins. My cousin’s son and my son could be brothers they look so much alike. Shouldn’t there be a strong family resemblance between the children of God as well?
Isn’t it interesting when not just outward appearances but mannerisms and the way we think are so often alike in families? Shouldn’t it be the same as with our Christian family? Paul encouraged the Corinthians to be like a family when he wrote:
Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
II Corinthians 13:11
Since we are part of the family of God, and unbelievably joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17), how can we resemble our Father, who is Spirit? We must resemble Him in spirit. This means that our mannerisms are the same as our Heavenly Father’s. That is, our lives exhibit the fruits of the Spirit.
…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22 & 23
We should live such lives of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control that our neighbors see these characteristics of our Father shine through our actions and they can see our Father in Heaven’s characteristics in our lives. As we strive to live pure lives, we need to make sure our motives are pure as well. Just as children want to innately please their earthly fathers, we need to desire to please our Heavenly Father.
We also need to realize that we can’t please God on our own strength because we are only human. We need His Son Jesus to help us bring the fruits of the Spirit to fruition in our lives. This doesn’t happen with a snap of the fingers. Rather it will take our entire lives of spending time with our family, the Father, the Spirit and the Son. Just as in earthly families, we need to build a relationship with each other, we need to spend time together, laugh together, cry together and respect each other. We have to be determined to… put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth (Ephesians 4:24). This new self is Christ living in us. We need to rely on His strength and love each day. The more we try to be like our Heavenly family, the more we resemble their goodness.
Maybe like my sister and I, you too look like your other family members. However, a happy family takes commitment to each other. So to, being part of our Heavenly family takes a decision to converse with them each day, and not only talk, but also listen. We also need to encourage and support our Christian brothers and sisters who are traveling this earth with us. The more time spent together, the stronger the family resemblance will become.
Photo Credit: Facebook via Stephanie Frontera Livshin
