“TRACES”

10 “By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.”

1 John 3:10

“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” This is a phrase that is typically associated with children who show qualities or talents that are similar to those of their parents. Under a tree, you will see the fruit it bears lying on the ground. The fruit drops off of the branches and falls to the ground, but it remains close to the tree that bore it.

In the same way, our character, behavior, and attitude reflect our spiritual origins. There are only two possible sources: God or the Devil.

In today’s verse, John gives us a simple truth: some are children of God while others are descendants of the Devil. He presents his case by saying that this truth is evident (Greek “phaneros,” which means “apparent, manifest, i.e., to be plainly recognized or known). He describes those influenced either by God or Satan as “children” (Greek “teknon”). In the New Testament, this word is used to describe those who are (1) “led by the Spirit of God and thus closely related to God” or (2) “those who in thought and action are prompted by the devil, and so reflect his character.”

John offers a straightforward answer given in a negative sense: whoever fails to practice righteousness or does not love his brother (a fellow believer) is not a child of God. The term “righteousness” comes from the Greek “dikaoisyne,” “the condition acceptable to God.” In other words, anyone who claims to be a Christian but does not act in a godly manner nor has a sacrificial love for other believers is not a child of God but of the Devil.

Righteousness and love are two essential manifestations of a Christian’s spiritual nature. They are traces of a true conversion. They do not contradict but complement one another. You cannot separate one from the other. Let’s put it this way: to practice righteousness without love makes one a hypocritical Pharisee; love without righteousness makes one a partner in iniquity. Both are extremes and dangerous.

The Bible reveals God as righteous and loving. In His righteousness, everything  God does is right as it reflects His holiness. He makes sure justice is served (Zephaniah 3:5). The ultimate act of justice He’s ever done is seen when He sent His Son to die on the Cross to pay for our sins. Jesus’ death gave us a right standing before God. On the other hand, God, in His very nature, is love (1 John 4:8). It is out of love that He commissioned Christ to purchase our salvation (John 3:16). As God’s children, we have our Father’s DNA, traces of His parentage, and His character, which will be shown in our conduct and choices.

Are you demonstrating righteousness and love for fellow Christians?

Pursue the Savior today!

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