Ephesians 2:10 (English Standard Version) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
This daily devotional falls right in line with the thoughts reported yesterday.
The question yesterday centered around our awareness of the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. Today is about what He is doing in us. From the moment we are born again we become a piece of work. Crafted or molded it matters not which image we understand best, but awareness is essential.
Yesterday I spent a good portion of my thoughts about nature vs nurture.
Our DNA has been passed down to us from multiple sources. Each branch of a family tree is slightly different. Genetic markers carry more information than just appearances which are the obvious traits. In my own case there are unevenly spread DNA markers for baldness, macular degeneration, diabetes, heart disease and Asperger’s Syndrome. We have to live with all that.
We were all raised by the same parents. Three were born prior to WWII, I was born after. It was made known to all of us that if my father had not served in that war, I would not be here. I am sure that others share that condition as there are a large number of baby boomers. The difference in my case being my father was thirty-seven at the time.
One sibling resented my birth just days before his birthday, my sister was disappointed I wasn’t a girl, and my oldest brother didn’t care about anyone but himself. Those factors were a part of my nurture environment and had a larger influence in my early development, even more than my parents. My father suffered undiagnosed PTSD and my mother suffered undiagnosed Asperger’s Syndrome.
When I was born again God the Father took over my nurturing but not my DNA. I am bald, have diabetes, heart disease and Asperger’s.
The life we live in Christ is not influenced by our DNA nor does it suffer the mistakes of our earthly parenting. We have a new nature now, we are a new creature.
As long as we do not try to relive the past, we are headed towards those good works waiting for us in our walk of faith.
Are we aware?