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“He is the spitting image of his father.”

Have you ever heard or said those words? Last night, my nephew was sitting with his little leg crossed, and his Nana said, “He looks just like his dad like that.”

They really favor one another and, most of the time, act like one another, especially when you see them both with their headsets on and a video game controller in their hands.

There is no mistaking who his daddy is because he wants to be just like him.

John 8:37-39
“I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your Father.
39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

Here is a little history this morning as a reminder:

God’s chosen people were known as the Israelites. But it was because of their ancestors that they arrived at that name. God called out one man to become the father of many nations. The Messiah would be his direct descendant and his family would be blessed. This man was Abraham. God made a covenant with him and blessed him and Sarah with a son named Isaac. Isaac had two sons, Jacob and Esau. Jacob became known as Israel and had twelve sons. In turn, each son’s family was a tribe, leading to the “12 Tribes of Israel” and the land also becoming known as Israel. Thus, the people became Israelites and always referred to their father as Abraham.

However, as Jesus clearly shared with them, if Abraham were their father, they would be like Abraham.

And they certainly weren’t anything like the man they claimed as their father – one who followed his Father, God.

“But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.”

So, if Abraham wasn’t their father, and God wasn’t their Father, who was?

“Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word.
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
47 He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.”

A case of mistaken identity.

The Jews thought that because they were descendants of Abraham, they were automatically God’s children and would receive the blessings of their ancestors. But Jesus was clear when He told them they were mistaken.

Their actions clearly demonstrated where their loyalties were and who their father really was.

Satan.

What a shock that must have been to these religious leaders! But what was the result of hearing this truth? Did they repent and fall humbly at the feet of Christ and ask forgiveness?

No.

Pride ruled in their hearts. They were filled with anger, fury, and rage. And they wanted Him dead even more, just like their father, the devil.

So, I ask you today, to whom do you belong?

Are you a child of God? Only those who put their faith and trust in His Son Jesus are part of God’s family.

The invitation has been sent. God wants to welcome you into His family, not the cleaned-up, straight-and-narrow, have-it-all-together version of you. His healing and transformation come after salvation.

He wants you. The real you. The right now you.

Come. Fall at His feet. Pour out your heart to Him. Let Him show you what true love is. Not this temporary satisfaction the world offers.

Come to the Father. His arms are open, waiting, and ready to envelop you and say, “My son, my daughter.”

Let there be no mistake in our identity and to whom we belong.

I am a daughter of the King!

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