‘Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.’ 1 John 5:1 NIV

After Adam sinned, we read that he fathered a child ‘in his own likeness.’ (Genesis 5:3 NIV) Ever since, we’ve all been born in the image of fallen men. Sometimes people say, ‘He’s just like his father.’ Or we say, ‘My dad was an angry man—now I’ve got his temper! Dad couldn’t stay with Mum—now I’m going through a divorce. Dad was an alcoholic—now look at my drinking and drugs! Dad was a workaholic—now I work 16 hours a day! Dad wasn’t affectionate with us kids—now I don’t even know how to hug my children!’ History repeats itself over and over again in our lives.

Here’s a fascinating example: ‘Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.’ (Genesis 20:2 ESV) Note, Isaac wasn't even born when his father lied and did this, yet years later, he did exactly the same thing, in exactly the same place (Genesis 26:7). It's in the genes!

But there’s good news! When you receive Jesus as your Saviour, He breaks that cycle! When you’re born again (John 3:3), you get a new Father and a new nature! You don’t need to walk in the likeness of your earthly father anymore, for now you can walk in the likeness of your heavenly Father, and become more like Him every day. Why don’t you talk to Him today about joining His family? See page 200.

SoulFood: Gen 30:25–31:55, Matt 19:15–30, Ps 66:13–20, Pr 6:23–25

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©