Children often look like their parents. For example, a daughter looks the same as her mother did at the same age. She has the same dimple in her chin. Her smile is the same. Her nose has the same shape. Sometimes these physical resemblances hold true for several generations.
There is also another way in which family members often resemble one another. They act and behave in a certain way. They think alike. They hold the same opinions and viewpoints. Families encourage this kind of conformity. We teach and train our children to act in accordance with the family standards. Each family has its own view of what is acceptable and what is not. When a child does not conform to the family’s standards and does something contrary to what we have taught him, we say that the child has shamed or brought disgrace to the family name. Similarly, when a child acts according to his family’s value system in situations where he is being pressured to act differently, we say that he has brought honor to the family.
Sometimes we can even tell to whom someone is related by observing their actions. We know someone belongs to a certain family because he behaves just like the other members of that family do.
This holds true in spiritual things. People should be able to tell whether we are followers of Christ by the way we live. Conversely, if someone does not act the way a follower of Christ should, then it is a good indication that he is not one of them. Why is this so? In his inspired letter to the church at Rome, the Apostle Paul writes that people are slaves to sin. Because they are slaves, they are forced to do unrighteous things – even if they do not wish to do them. Upon becoming followers of Christ, however, Christ redeems them from slavery to sin. They are now free. This should have a profound effect in how they live.
In chapter 8, verses 9 though 17 Paul writes, “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his. If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if you live after the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God. For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God; and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.”
Paul writes that it is God’s Spirit living in us which makes it possible for us live righteous lives. Just as children inherit the characteristics of their parents, those in whom the Spirit of God dwells should reflect the characteristics of God. If they do not; if they continue to allow ungodly impulses and desires to control them, it is evidence that God’s Spirit does not live in them. They do not belong to Christ, even if they wear the name.
How does the Spirit come to dwell in us? As Paul already explained more fully in chapter 6, we must die. We die with Christ. We die to sin. We repudiate our old, wicked ways and thoughts. We repent. When we do this, the same Spirit which raised Christ from physical death raises us to new spiritual life. As Paul writes in another place, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)
This change from slavery to freedom, from spiritual death to new life, also brings us into a new relationship – God adopts us as His children and includes us in His household. This change makes a profound difference. Before, we were on our own. In our own strength we did not have the power to resist sin and the lusts of our lower nature. Now, God’s Spirit gives us the strength we need to overcome sin. We can have victory over wrong.
A second profound change is that we no longer have to fear. Before, because of our sin, we were subject to God’s judgment and wrath. Now, instead of regarding God as our Judge who will condemn us, we know Him as a loving Father to whom we can come with our troubles and problems. We exchange our fear for love. As the Apostle John writes, “Love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The man who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:17-18 NIV)
A third profound change is in our future. God not only removes our fear, He makes us heirs with Christ. All those who follow Christ will also share in Christ’s glory. Paul writes that sharing in Christ’s suffering is a condition of sharing in His glory. This may be another way of stating that we must first die with Christ in order to gain new spiritual life. However, as Paul says in the next section of his letter, the followers of Christ can expect to suffer in this life before they receive the inheritance God has promised them. Jesus, Himself, said, “…In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)
In light of what Paul writes, we all need to ask ourselves some questions. Does our behavior show that we are members of God’s family? Do our actions bring honor to Christ’s name? Do we allow our sinful desires to control us, or are we led by God’s Spirit? Do we fear God’s punishment, or is He our heavenly Father in whom we delight? Are we confident that we will share in Christ’s glory? If you doubt that you are in God’s household, that you are His child, then you need to ask a more fundamental question: Have you died with Christ? If not, you need to do so, so that God will give you new spiritual life through His Spirit.