Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional “Whose Am I?” for Saturday, 1 November 2014 - Galatians 5:22-26

Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional “Whose Am I?” for Saturday, 1 November 2014 - Galatians 5:23 But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
23-24 Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.
25-26 Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.
Jesus said, “If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.”(John 14:7 (NIV))
One of our neighbors recently spent three months hammering away making a playhouse. His four-year-old son joined him in this building project, and the two hammered with gusto. Like father, like son!
As I think of the way this son imitates his father, I wonder if my actions, habits, and preferences reflect my heavenly Father. I ask myself if people who know me can recognize something of God in me: Do my words and actions show the influence of the Holy Spirit in my life? Does my life reflect the teachings of Jesus? Am I faithful, patient, and loving — not just on a good day, but every day?
If my Christianity is “real,” I will reflect my Father to the people around me. That’s a pretty awesome challenge — and responsibility — for each of us.
The Author: Meg Mangan (New South Wales, Australia)
Thought for the Day: Jesus reflected the Father to those around him, and so can I.
Prayer: Loving Father, we want to be like you. We want to help others get to know you better. Help us to work toward reflecting you in all our words and actions. Amen.
Prayer focus: Fathers and sons
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