From the Inside Out: 6 Traits of God’s Children

In a world where morality is often blurred and kindness is undervalued, the Bible calls us to something higher. Being a child of God is more than a label—it’s a lifestyle. It’s not about perfect church attendance, quoting Scripture flawlessly, or wearing a Christian T-shirt. It’s about letting Christ’s character be seen in how we live, speak, and love.

1. Kindness That Crosses Boundaries

Kindness isn’t just “being nice” when it’s convenient. In Scripture, kindness (chesed in Hebrew) is a covenant-level loyalty and goodness that mirrors God’s heart. Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).

In the early church, believers crossed cultural, racial, and social barriers to show kindness to all—rich and poor, Jew and Gentile, slave and free. We’re called to do the same.

True kindness:

Ask yourself daily, “Who can I intentionally encourage or serve today?” Small acts—holding a door, writing a note, buying a coffee for a stranger—are seeds that can grow into gospel opportunities.

2. Moral Purity

Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 6:18–20 are direct: “Flee from sexual immorality… You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” Sexual intimacy is a sacred covenant act, designed to unite a husband and wife physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Outside of marriage, it becomes a tool the enemy uses to steal blessings and derail destinies.

Purity isn’t just about avoiding sin—it’s about protecting God’s best for your life and keeping your witness clean in a watching world.

Until you say “I do,” you don’t.

Set boundaries before temptation comes—boundaries in dating, entertainment, and conversations. If you’ve failed in this area, run to God in repentance and receive His cleansing grace (1 John 1:9).

3. Honesty and Integrity

Proverbs 12:22 says, “The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy.” Integrity is doing the right thing even when it’s costly or when no one is watching—remembering that God always sees.

Pastor shared some examples:

Early in his walk with God, Pastor Larry took a construction job where most of the crew, including the boss’s son, slacked off as soon as the boss drove away. Larry kept working, knowing that even if the boss wasn’t watching, God was. At week’s end, the boss revealed he had been watching from a nearby hill all along. The idlers were fired — even the son — and Larry received a raise. That day proved Luke 16:10 true: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.”

4. Generosity With a Cheerful Heart

Generosity reflects the heart of God, who “so loved the world that He gave” (John 3:16). In Luke 21, Jesus praised a widow who gave two small coins—not because of the amount, but because she gave sacrificially. Paul reminds us, “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Pastor Larry outlined how we can be given a chance to be a blessing:

Cheerful giving happens when we understand that:

Also, you can pray before giving. Ask God where He wants your gift to go and give with joy, knowing it’s eternal seed.

5. A Spirit of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is not optional—it’s the condition Jesus gives for receiving God’s forgiveness ourselves (Matthew 6:14–15). This means:

Unforgiveness poisons the heart and blocks the flow of God’s blessing. It gives the enemy a place in our lives.

In Portland, a well-known minister spread false accusations about Pastor Larry, costing the church thousands in attendance. Later, the man lost his job and came asking for forgiveness. Instead of turning him away, Pastor Larry prayed for him — and even took up an offering to help his family move. That moment revealed the power of releasing an offense so the enemy cannot have a foothold.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean approving of the wrong; it means releasing the offender so God can heal the wound. It also includes forgiving yourself after God has cleansed you.

This doesn’t mean fresh offenses; this can even be old wounds—family betrayals, long-standing grudges—they all need to be surrendered so healing can begin.

This is the time to ask God to bring to mind anyone you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from. Act on it this week—whether through a conversation, a letter, or prayer.

6. A Tender Heart

Ephesians 4:32 commands: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Tenderheartedness is strength under control—it’s the opposite of callousness. It means being sensitive to others’ needs and willing to be moved with compassion, like Jesus was with the sick, the broken, and the lost.

In Israel, a Holocaust survivor told of a Christian woman who hid her, her mother, and 14 others for years on a pig farm during the Nazi occupation. To mask the human scent, the woman bought extra pigs — risking her own life and the lives of her children. This was not an obligation; it was a heart tender to human suffering, reflecting the sacrificial love of Christ.

Being tenderhearted keeps us:

We all have busy lives, but we must slow down enough to notice people. Ask questions. Really listen without interrupting. Offer prayer on the spot when someone vulnerably shares a struggle.Even a simple smile can go a long way and bring light into someone’s day.

Living It Out

These six traits—kindness, purity, integrity, generosity, forgiveness, and tenderheartedness—aren’t boxes to check. These stories aren’t just memories from a pulpit — they’re living proof that the marks of a true child of God are visible, practical, and powerful. They’re the fruit of a life surrendered to the Holy Spirit. The more we walk with Him, the more these qualities grow, and the more people will see Jesus in us.

Integrity works hard when no one seems to notice, because heaven is always watching. Forgiveness chooses to bless even those who have wounded us, shutting the door to bitterness. Tenderheartedness risks comfort, reputation, and even safety to meet the needs in front of us.

When these traits take root in our daily lives, we don’t just talk about Jesus — we show Him. And in a world desperate for hope, the sight of a life transformed by His love might be the most convincing sermon we’ll ever preach.