SCRIPTURE: Genesis 5
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
(Read my reflection from 2008)
When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God. He created them male and female and blessed them. And he named them “Mankind” when they were created. When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. [Genesis 5:1-3]
God makes humans in His likeness; Adam and Eve produce children in their likeness.
Unfortunately, when Adam and Eve sinned, their likeness became corrupt, and that was passed on to their children.
We were supposed to inherit God’s nature, but since Adam and Eve surrendered themselves to Satan, we have inherited his nature – sinful human nature.
And so the misery passes on from generation to generation.
But as we saw yesterday, we have a choice (with God’s help), and we can choose to resist the sin nature and walk with God.
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. [Matthew 5:43-45]
Jesus urges us to choose to be like God, and not like sinful human nature.
Sinful human nature only loves those who love them, but God is loving, merciful, forgiving, and we are to be like Him.
Of course, we cannot do this by ourselves, we need God’s help, God’s Spirit.
And for this, we must walk humbly before God, relying on Him and His help to do and choose what is right – this is called ‘walking in the Spirit’.
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [Galatians 5:16]
In this world, the vast majority of Adam and Eve’s children choose to live according to the sinful human nature… but thankfully not all.
Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. [Genesis 5:24]
Though we are not sure what happened to Enoch (maybe like Elijah!), we do know that he walked humbly and faithfully with God, and God blessed him.
And there is Jesus, whose walks with God, and God takes Him away [Acts 1:10-11].
And there are many who choose to walk with God, and with God’s help who resist sin and choose what is right and good.
Who are you choosing to be like? what likeness do people see in you?
When people say of you, ‘he/she is just like their father’, which father do they mean?
I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. [Matthew 5:43-45]
PRAYER:
Lord, this passage reminds me of a song, a father’s prayer to You as he looks at his young son: ‘Lord I want to be just like You, cause he wants to be just like me!’ May this be my prayer as well!
When God created man, He made them in the likeness of God. When Adam had a son, he was in in own image. Mankind was created before the Fall. Adam’s son, after the Fall and the loud resounding refrain throughout the passage . . . then he died! God’s Word coming to pass.
Man needs to follow all his days walking in His ways just like Enoch – walking with God as Adam did in the garden. We must do the same. No greater joy does the father have than to hear that his children are walking in the truth states John. That was true in the garden. That was true in Genesis 5. That is true also today for earthly fathers and above all, for our Father in heaven. We need to walk with Him each day. I need to walk in His steps. Like Father like Son – that needs to be the relationship, the life I live. Walking with my Father everyday placing my small hand into His BIG hand and He leads me along the way. And God does take all His own away and they will be no more on earth, but they will be forever with Him in true, full relationship – walking and talking and enjoying eachother’s presence as it was in the garden. Life restored. True fellowship. Home with the Father.
Help me this day Lord to walk with You in Tour SonShine.
He climbs in my lap for a goodnight hug
He calls me dad and I call him bug
Faded old pillow and a bear named pooh
He snuggles up close and says, “I wanna be like you”
I tuck him in bed and I kiss him goodnight
Trippin’ over the toys as I turn out the light
And I whisper a prayer that maybe someday he’ll see
He’s got a Father in God ‘cause he’s seen Jesus in me
Chorus:
Lord I want to be just like you ’cause he wants to be just like me
I want to be a holy example for his innocent eyes to see (learning from the father)
Help me be a living Bible, Lord that my little boy can read
I wanna be just like you ’cause he wants to be like me
I’ve got to admit I’ve got so far to go
Make so many mistakes and I’m sure that you know
Sometimes it seems no matter how hard I try
With all the pressures in life, I just can’t get it all right
But I’m trying so hard to learn from the best
Being patient and kind filled with you tenderness
Cause I know that he’ll learn from the things that he sees
And the Jesus he finds will be the Jesus in me