Family Resemblance

I snapped a picture of this beach plant because I thought its fuzzy gray leaves were pretty. Only after I got home did I realize that the leaves themselves are bright green, but covered in salty sea spray that gave them their gray hue! Here’s another part of the plant where the salt had fallen off:

I discovered that this is called an American Sea Rocket.

Now for the fascinating part. In 2007, researchers discovered that this plant will treat related plants differently than non-related ones! It aggressively invades other plants’ root space if they’re unrelated, but will not if they are related. How cool is that??? Plants that recognize their family members!!

Are you part of the Family of God?

Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatians, “For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26) If you are a follower of Christ, believing that He died for your sins, you are a child of God! And on top of that, what a future awaits you! “And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.” (Romans 8:17)

Family Characteristics

But in the meantime, what does a child of God look like? John writes, “Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.” (1 John 3:9)

Paul wrote to the church in Thessolonica, “We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory.” (1 Thess. 2:12)

If there is a Kingdom to share, there is a King who rules over it. Since we have been adopted as His children, we should behave like part of the royal family! Paul encouraged the Philippian church,

• “Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 
• For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. 
• Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.”(Philippians 2:12-15)

• With all that is in you, obey your Heavenly Father • He’s helping you to obey; you don’t have to do it alone • Your obedience will set you apart, and you will be the light of the world Jesus called you to be (Matthew 5:14).

Finally, know that you are deeply loved, even on your worst days of going your own way. “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1)

If you’ve been following your own path, maybe it’s time to get back to God’s plan for your life. “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9)  As long as you have breath, there’s time for a fresh start!

How would you rate your family resemblance to your Heavenly Father?