Children of Abraham or God?

 Daniel 5-6; Psalms 130; Luke 3

“…And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham…And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’”

Luke 3:8, 22

The Jews trusted in their physical lineage back to Abraham and God’s covenant with him, and later with the descendants of Israel. The righteousness that comes through heritage, tradition, or bloodlines was confronted by John the Baptist and Jesus the Messiah. Jesus could have trusted in this heritage, but instead he pointed to a direct relationship with his heavenly Father. All who by faith receive salvation from Jesus and offer their lives to him, also experience new birth, directly into God’s family. We, too, can experience the Father’s love, pleasure, and relationship. Religions and denominations still trace their heritage back to significant spiritual leaders who shaped their development. 

However, the key question remains, have we been born again? – born of the Spirit, not just the flesh.

“Lord Jesus, thank you for making my salvation and relationship with the Father possible, for your glory.”