Day 3 – Identity

Identity
Genesis 5:1 – “This is the written account of the descendants of Adam. When God created human beings, he made them to be like himself.” (NLT)
We are created in the image and likeness of God according to Genesis 1:26. But what does it mean to be like God? Sin has so distorted what the likeness of God means that Jesus had to come to earth to show us what it means and to restore us to that likeness. It is interesting to note that in today’s New Testament reading in Matthew chapter 4 we have the temptation of Jesus. In the first two temptations, Satan begins them with the words, “If you are the Son of God…” Temptation is not so much about getting you to sin as it is destroying the image and likeness of God in you. If Satan is successful with this tactic then he diminishes your ability to walk in the power of the Spirit and advance the agenda of the kingdom of God.
So how do we develop the likeness of God in our lives? Today’s Old Testament reading in Genesis chapters 5 and 6 has some keys for us. Consider these three scriptures as written in the New Living Translation:
Genesis 5:22 – “…Enoch lived in close fellowship with God…”
Genesis 5:23 – “Enoch lived 365 years, walking in close fellowship with God…”
Genesis 6:9 – “…Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on the earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God.”
When you walk close with God you cannot help but become more like Him. Spend more time with God by praying, obeying, and staying in your OYB reading and you will be surprised at how “close” you will be to God.