God’s Child

Paul calls us “offspring” of God during his Greek argument for God and Jesus in Athens. Jesus often referred to us as God’s children. Paul began his argument by saying God is the creator of the world. He created us so that we would search for Him. Then we can be considered His children.

So, I have been wondering what this means. Since I am a student of science, I naturally begin to think of DNA. As children of our human parents, we inherit DNA from both of our parents. There is still a lot we don’t know about how DNA works, but we know some things. We know that the DNA we inherit gives us our skin, hair and eye color. We know that the DNA we inherit predisposes us to certain diseases or strength against others. We know as children of our human parents, especially if raised by our parents, we inherit how we look, but we also learn how to speak and act and live.

I guess we need to figure out what God’s DNA equivalent is. What is it I inherit from God? What is it I learn from God? If I am living with God, then I should pick up His mannerisms just as I picked up mannerisms from my parents.

Or, did I toss away God’s inheritance like the young man that Jesus describes in Luke? And then realize what I’d lost and return to God begging for forgiveness and acceptance–not as a son, but as a servant?

The translation I am now using has Paul say that we are to “grope” for God. When I read that word, the picture is sort of like this scene–I’m a child; it’s dark, maybe I was hiding in a closet; I can’t find Dad, but I know he’s around and I need his security; I grope in the dark knowing he’s close but I can’t find him. Ah, but when I do, it brings such a relief. Sort of like God, who is right here beside me. But I can’t see Him. Then I grope for Him. And when we make contact, then I know all is well.

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