Daily Devotion, July 23, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Genesis 1:26-31.

Over the years, I have heard a lot of preaching and teaching in the Church emphasizing that our initial relationship with God is one of a sinner. That is the identity we are given. We have sinned much and need to repent. I certainly agree that, as Romans 3:23 puts it “...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” 

However, that state of sin is not our initial identity in our relationship with God. According to this creation story in Genesis, the initial human relationship with God was good. In fact, it was more than good. As you read through the whole story, several times God pronounces the completed portion “good.” But after the humans have been created on the sixth day, God says that it was “very good.”

So, our initial relationship with God is “very good.” And it wasn’t just Adam and Eve that broke that relationship; we all do. We all do our part, both individually and collectively, to separate ourselves from God. But because God created us in a good relationship and wants to restore that relationship, God takes the initiative to provide a way through Jesus Christ for us to be connected to our Creator.

Don’t ever forget that God gave you life and God loves you. That is your beginning/core identity. What you do with it is up to you. And if you ever get separated, know that God is always ready and willing to restore the relationship to “very good.”

Personal Worship Option:

Who do you know who needs to hear this message? Pray and ask God to guide you in how to best share it.