Genetic Disposition

Because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

2 Peter 1:4

WHEN WE RECEIVE Jesus into our hearts, we are made new from the inside out (2 Corinthians 5:17). The immediate change is to our nature—our spiritual genetics, if you will. Just as a newborn baby has the genetic nature of his or her parents, we receive the divine nature of God. We don’t make it happen any more than a baby initiates his or her own conception. “You are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift” (Ephesians 2:8, HCSB). As we saw in yesterday’s devotion, God’s gift is complete—we don’t lack anything we need for life and godliness. Now we just need to grow. Our spiritual rebirth is just the beginning.

In addition to giving us His divine nature and divine power, God gives us His very precious promises—His Word—to help us grow healthy and strong in our new nature. We feed our bodies with bread, but we feed our spirits with His Word (Matthew 4:4). As we do this consistently, our appetite for “junk food” (the corruption that is in the world) decreases, and we mature into healthy and strong sons of God who are growing in godliness and service.

Have you received God’s divine nature by believing in His Son and accepting His offer of salvation? Are you nourishing that new nature by feeding on His Word?

BOTTOM LINE

God’s Word holds the key to knowing what is right, getting back on track when we slip up, and maturing in righteousness.

Moment of Strength: Psalm 119:33-40