Today’s Scripture: Genesis 1-3
Today is the very first day of January, and it is also the first day of a new year. As such, it is fitting that we read about the beginning of all things as recorded in the first three chapters of Genesis. These chapters are foundational to our faith. They explain the origin of the human race. In the beginning, God created everything that there is. He is the originator and designer of human life. Apart from an understanding of this basic truth, a person’s life simply does not make sense. Many try to use reason and science as a means of understanding their origin, but without faith in the God who created them, it is useless. The Bible says that God created us in His own image. Therein we find our purpose and our identity. You and I were designed to bear or reflect the image of God, and this is unique to humanity. No other created being is given this great privilege. As God’s image bearers, we were designed for the glory of God and made to enjoy a special relationship with Him. However, in Genesis 3, we read of man’s disobedience and fall. Choosing to sin against God, Adam and Eve and all of the created order were placed under a curse. All of their descendants would be born alienated and cut off from the life of God. The image of God in man would be marred and distorted by sin. Death entered into the world by this one man’s disobedience. Because of their sin, Adam and Eve were banished from God’s garden paradise. They were forced to live in a world of pain and sorrow that was the direct result of their own choice. Yet even in the midst of their disobedience, we see the grace of God at work. In Genesis 3:15, God told the serpent, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” This is the first mention of the gospel found in Scripture. It is the good news that the woman’s seed, Jesus Christ, would ultimately defeat Satan and sin. It is from this point on that God’s plan of redeeming man will be more clearly revealed in Scripture, coming to a climax as Jesus dies on the cross and rises again from the dead.
As you read through the Bible, it is essential that you see it as one story–the story of redemption. God is the main character, and the spotlight is on Jesus Christ, His perfect Son. It is only through Jesus Christ that we can find our purpose for existence. He came to restore us as God’s image bearers. Romans 5:19 says, “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.” In other words, Jesus came to right where Adam went wrong. And until you surrender your life to Jesus, nothing else will ever make sense. You are not an accident, my friend! Instead, you have been fearfully and wonderfully made by your Creator who desires to have a special relationship with you. This relationship can only be experienced through faith in Christ. On this first day of a brand new year, you can experience a brand new beginning in Christ.
“Father, I pray for those who have yet to come to know Jesus as Savior. All of humanity is dead in sin and hopelessly lost without You. Many are wasting precious time that You have given them, and they are living empty lives spent only for themselves. My prayer for them is that their eyes may be opened and that their hearts may be changed by the truth of Your Son. We praise You for another day, for another year, and for another opportunity. Lead us as we walk in Your truth. Amen.”