I remember this one time my husband and I attended the High School Achievement Banquet. We had attended this banquet year after year in support of other students because my husband was a high school math teacher, but this time was different, our oldest daughter was a senior.

The recipients of scholarships were announced along with the recognition of achievement for the students who excelled academically in various studies at this banquet. My husband and I beamed with pride when our daughter was called forward to be recognized for achieving high honors in her work in mathematics. I remember these words of affirmation for her. “It is an honor to present this award for her excellence in mathematics.”

We were so proud. I sat up tall in my chair, so I could see her face. The presenter continued with these words, “It is obvious she does not take after her mother but has the intelligence of her father.” I am sitting there thinking, “What in the world?!” as I am trying to keep a sweet, motherly smile on my face and as I listen to a banquet hall full of people laughing!

Honestly, my husband and I have had a lot of laughs over the years about that comment. The truth is, parents are proud of their children and as parents, we also point to physical, academic or emotional characteristics that are like their parent. Even today, we can still be judged and classified by our father’s name.

But what if your father is God? John states that in Christ we have become children of God. It is by the grace of God that we do become children of God. We are children of God because of God’s giving love for us. We have not earned or deserved it. As children of God, we have this relationship with God that is intimate, trusting and loving. When we become part of the family of God, we have this transformation that gives us a new way of living. What we believe should determine how we act not only at home, but in all areas of our life, private and public. As a child of God, the world should be able to see our family resemblance including our neighbors, co-workers, friends, all the people we encounter throughout the day.

When we look in a mirror, what do we see? Do we see a child of God that is just like any child who hopes to be like their parent and imitates them in their actions? “And everyone who has this hope in him purifies themselves, just as he is pure.” (1 John 3:3) This hope to be like Christ, is not just waiting for something to happen. Real hope practices for what is to come. You have seen children do this, right? When children are 2-3 years old, I am sure you have watched them play house, pretend to cook or clean? This continues, in their school work, their jobs, their parenting skills.

John goes on to say, “No one who abides in him sins; and in him there is no sin.” (1 John 3:6) Does this mean followers of Christ do not sin anymore? Not at all. The expectation is not that we be sinless, because that is clearly impossible. Rather, the expectation is that at least we try. If we fail, we are not content with that failure or do not make excuses for the failure. We do our best to try again and so others may see that we are a child of God.

As we grow in our Christian walk, through prayer, studying God’s Word, sharing our faith with others, sin has less influence in our lives.

We do not just talk about our beliefs, our faith in God, we live it in every piece of our lives, in our words, our actions, our love for others. Does this mean we all do this the same?! Not at all. Yes, there are some differences in God’s children. But have you noticed one common family resemblance? Jesus himself said it: “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God’s;” And that is who we are! God’s children.

There are new Christians, and lifelong Christians, and so on. They are all children of God. And … you are a child of God! I see the resemblance! Do you? You look just like your Father!

Pastor’s Podium

The Pastor’s Podium column is offered each week by a different pastor or lay person representing an Ellsworth County church.

The week’s columnist is Rebecca Stredney, pastor at the First Presbyterian and United Methodist Churches, Wilson.