A few weeks ago, we went on holidays to Vancouver Island and while there had a chance to visit with my mom for her 80th birthday. It was also a chance for all my brothers to get together, the first time since our father passed away about 13 years ago. Looking at pictures of my dad and my siblings I realized that I really don’t look like any of them!

Many people share a family resemblance with their parents. It might be curly hair or a toothy grin. Maybe it’s the way you walk or a distinctive laugh. When people see a resemblance of this type, they know what family you belong to.

But what about your relationship with God? If you want people to know that you belong to God, your “family resemblance” should be godliness. But what does that look like in the Christian’s life?

One thing is knowing the truth which comes from studying God’s Word. In 2 Timothy 3:14-17, we find these words, “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

But it doesn’t end with just knowing. Another things is you should live a life of integrity which comes from doing God’s Word. James 1:22 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

Next, we need to live with purpose and focus which comes with allowing God’s Word to transform us. Philippians 3:12-15 says, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.”

All these characteristics will be a reality in our lives as we spend time in His Word, in prayer and allow His Spirit to work in and through us transforming us daily to be conformed into the image of the Son. In closing let me end off with a verse that describes the life of one who lives their lives for God. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”

If you have these characteristics in your life, people will see the family resemblance between you and your heavenly Father. Live a life that is marked with truth, integrity and purpose.

Isaiah 3:10 says, “But all will be well for those who are godly. Tell them, ‘You will receive a wonderful reward.'”