True Identity

See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children - think of it - and we really are! But since most people don't know God, naturally they don't understand that we are his children. Yes, dear friends, we are already God's children, right now, and we can't even imagine what it is going to be like later on. But we do know this, that when he comes we will be like him, as a result of seeing him as he really is. And everyone who really believes this will try to stay pure because Christ is pure. 1 John 3:1-3 (TLB)

Lei Cao Garcia-Bote lives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. When she was in college, Lei could tell which of the many strangers on a bus were fellow students. There was something familiar and similar among those of them who were studying at the same university. Maybe it was the way they dressed or talked or walked. Lei is not sure what it was, but it was perceptible.

Lei had a similar experience years later, when she was in another country and in a crowd of people of a different culture and nationality. While Lei was walking alone inside a mall, a woman behind her comfortably talked with her in her dialect. Without any introduction, she immediately knew they were from the same country and that they spoke the same language. Something about her Filipino identity was familiar to her.

The same is true with our identity in Jesus Christ. Because of God's love for us, God redeemed us and brought us into relationship with God. Through Christ, we are children of God. When we embrace this identity and live according to Jesus' teachings, others will see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven (see Matt. 5:16).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may we always be reminded of your love so we may live out our true identity in Christ. May we honor you all the days of our lives, in Jesus' name. amen.