Siblings Alike

# Siblings Alike

Did you know that biological siblings in a family often share some personality traits in common? Even more interesting is that they tend to do unusual things in similar ways. It's hardly surprising when brothers and sisters resemble each other in certain ways. There are many siblings who are musical prodigies playing the piano, or are skilled athletes, or excel at chess, or are equally talented in mathematics. But sometimes, siblings share a characteristic that is quite unusual—for instance, they may have a knack for picking up dropped objects from the ground, or they enjoy gardening around the house, raising ornamental fish, and so on. In a study about personality similarities among siblings in a family, Nancy L. Segal, a psychologist at California State University, Fullerton, explains that similar personality traits can be due to heredity. Even if parents don't possess these traits, certain characteristics may come from generations back in the family, and for some reason were not expressed in the parents, but appear in their descendants. (1)

It is truly a wonder that God has created us in such a way that biological siblings share certain personality traits that allow outsiders to recognize them as siblings! Even more miraculous is that in the family of Christ, His beloved people also possess special habits that those who do not yet believe in God can recognize as God's people. Although we are not biological siblings with the same parents, God's people certainly share many similar characteristics and habits. Indeed, in Christ, we have at least seven habits in common:

* First is reading the Bible, because God's Word is the spiritual food for us. The apostle Peter compares God's Word to "the pure milk of the word," and encourages us to long for God's Word: "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation" (1 Peter 2:2).

* Second is prayer, as the Lord teaches us: "Pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18); "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and petitions. To this end be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people" (Ephesians 6:18).

* Third is loving everyone, just as Christ loves us: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35); "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves" (Romans 12:10).

* Fourth is having a spirit of service to others: "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up" (Romans 15:1-2); "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2).

* Fifth is doing all things for the Name of God: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:15-17); "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us" (1 Peter 2:12).

* Sixth is supporting and encouraging one another, growing together in Christ: "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing" (1 Thessalonians 5:11); "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Ephesians 4:29).

* Seventh is sharing the Gospel and witnessing to the saving power of Jesus Christ: "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16); "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation'" (Mark 16:15).

Let us thank God that we are His people, sharing one Father, one Holy Spirit, and possessing good characteristics common to us in Him! May God help us always with all our heart, all our soul, and all our strength to love and worship Him, keeping these good habits, praying, reading and meditating on God's Word, following it, loving all people, supporting and encouraging one another, serving, and faithfully sharing the Gospel with those around us, from now until the day Jesus Christ returns! Amen!

*Thank God who created us,* *Uncles, aunts, and siblings in every home,* *Revering God, loving people, and lifting each other up,* *His Word we contemplate, forever passing it on!* *Each day praying, seeking God's will,* *Faithful and diligent, living with sincerity,* *Serving others, laboring in God's work,* *His Name glorified, worthy of our praise!*

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