What changes should we make to reflect being God's "sons and daughters"? Our Identity Statement “ ‘I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:18) Because this is literally true, our lives must mirror the family we belong to. Turning from What Pollutes — “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” (2 Corinthians 6:17) — Change to make: • Break ties with known sin—habits, entertainment, relationships, business practices—that compromise holiness. • Evaluate daily choices by asking, “Would my Father approve?” • Replace compromise with obedience; what we refuse shapes who we become. Pursuing Holiness as a Family Trait — “Beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1) — “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” (1 Peter 1:15) Step-by-step adjustments: • Guard both body and spirit—sexual purity, honest speech, disciplined thought life. • Cultivate reverent fear: treat sin as God treats it, not as culture does. • Practice immediate repentance; sons and daughters run toward, not away from, their Father when convicted. Living the Family Values — “Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love.” (Ephesians 5:1-2) Key lifestyle shifts: • Love sacrificially—serve, give, forgive even when it costs. • Speak truth seasoned with grace. • Seek justice for the vulnerable, reflecting the Father’s heart (Psalm 68:5). Embracing Spirit-Led Living — “All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14) Practical moves: • Begin each day yielding plans to the Spirit. • Listen for His promptings in Scripture, prayer, and conscience. • Expect the Spirit’s empowerment to overcome fleshly desires (Galatians 5:16-25). Cultivating Family Intimacy — “Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’” (Galatians 4:6) Daily habits that deepen relationship: • Honest, continual conversation with the Father—share joys, fears, decisions. • Regular time in the Word, receiving the Father’s voice. • Gather with siblings in Christ; family life is shared life (Hebrews 10:24-25). Showing the Family Resemblance to the World — “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before men.” (Matthew 5:14-16) Observable changes: • Integrity in work and finances—no hidden corners. • Joy and peace that stay steady under pressure (Philippians 4:4-7). • Readiness to explain our hope, pointing others to the Father (1 Peter 3:15). Living From Assurance, Not for It — “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” (Romans 8:16) Perspective shift: • Obedience flows from sonship, not to earn it. • Security in the Father’s love frees us to risk, serve, and stand apart from the crowd. Sons and daughters bear the family likeness by separating from sin, pursuing holiness, imitating the Father’s love, walking by the Spirit, enjoying close fellowship, and shining His character wherever we go. |
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