Want to know how to reflect God’s character? God instructs us to imitate Christ and reflect our Father’s nature. Read on for Bible-based insights from a former youth pastor.
While serving in youth ministry, I learned what makes parents proud. Parents love to hear how their kids reflect them.
He looks so much like you. She has your eyes. She has your intelligence. He has your business savvy. I can tell she definitely has your athletic ability. I see you in him every time I look at him. The apple did not fall far from the tree with her personality.
We reflect attributes of our parents for reasons of both nature and nurture. Many of our characteristics are genetic and hereditary (nature). We also become more like our parents in time, as their example impacts us (nurture).
How We Reflect God’s Character
In the same way, you reflect your Father’s attributes because of nature and nurture. When you became a Christian, the Bible says you were born again (John 3:3). God gave you a new nature, His nature. Although you still struggle with sin because you live in an earthly body, God has changed you into a new person internally. And you no longer continually live in sin.
In fact, Scripture clearly says that God’s seed (“sperm” in the original language) lives in you. “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning because he has been born of God” (1 John 3:9, NIV).
The DNA test is clear. You belong to God. The evidence is that you do not continually live a life of sin.
As God’s child, God nurtures you and develops your character. He continually molds you and forms you. He transforms your mind (Romans 12:2) and works in your life (Philippians 2:13) so you will live out your identity as His child.
Your Father demands and desires for you to reflect His name and nature. He is pleased and proud when you reflect His attributes to the world around you.