If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.
1 John 2:29
Sometimes we hear ourselves say something and stop. “That sounded exactly like my father.” We may recognize a parent’s laugh or mannerisms in ourselves before anyone else points them out.
John says something similar happens spiritually. God is righteous, and those born of Him begin to reflect His character. “Practices righteousness” describes the pattern of our lives, not a record of flawless behavior. We do not become God’s children through good works. We do what is right because He has given us new life.
Grace changes more than our destination. Grace alters our desires. Small inconsistencies between our beliefs and behaviors start to bother us. The truth becomes more important. We offer forgiveness more readily. Generosity begins to seem natural. Sin grieves us. Disobedience becomes uncomfortable
The transformation happens slowly, but the Father is patient as His children grow to resemble His Son. The question is not, “Have we arrived?” It is, “Can we see the family resemblance beginning to emerge?”
Father, we agree with You that righteousness reflects Your character and sin distorts the life You desire for us. Thank You that through Christ we have been born into Your family and are being transformed from the inside out. Continue shaping our desires, habits, relationships, and choices until they increasingly resemble Jesus. Give us patience with the process and courage to obey. We submit ourselves to Your fatherly work and ask You to make the family resemblance unmistakable.
Looking More Like Him,
eep
