If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. 1 John 2:29
Children always take on some of the characteristics of their parents, both physical and non-physical characteristics. It is common that one can look at a child and see the child’s parents in how the child looks, talks and acts. This occurs because they learn from their parents more than from anyone else. The child will also take on both the good aspects of a parent and many of the negative traits of a parent. Peter has been talking about knowing the truth of God.
Now he points out to the people that if they know that God is righteous, they will also know that anyone who lives a righteous life is born of God.
The world is focused upon living for self, pleasing self at all times. In the process of living for self, it opens the door to tossing out any solid standard of how to live. It is all about pleasing self in the moment.
Parents live this way and teach their children to live in the same way. Children spend hours each day in schools that teach them to live for self. Being right is dependent upon how a person feels, not living by rules of someone else. Their characteristic comes from the ruler of this world and their father–Satan.
On the opposite side, believers are to be born of God. They are to take on the characteristics of God, who is their Father. God has set down guidelines on how to live life on this earth, a life that is righteous and holy. When one looks at a believer, one should see God’s holiness and righteousness flowing in that believer’s life. The believer is striving to live like the Father.
You have some of the characteristics of your parents, both you mother and father. Some of those characteristics will stand out very clear to anyone who know you and your parents. In the very same way, your life should reflect the righteous characteristic of your heavenly Father. Right living, according to God’s standards, should be practiced on a daily basis, not just on Sundays.
When you look at your life, could you say that you are born of God? Is there enough evidence for people to see God’s righteousness in your life?
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will take on God’s righteous living in your own life; that people will see God in you; and that God will guide you in living the holy and righteous life He has called you to live.
Photo by Derek Thomson on Unsplash
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