God's DNA

As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name

(John 1:12).

Since 1953 much research has been done in the field of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and during the past decade DNA has become a familiar term to most of us.  Though much about it continues to be a mystery, we are familiar with at least some of its benefits.

A parallel with physical DNA can be seen in the work of the Holy Spirit. Physical DNA is present at birth and remains the same throughout a lifetime.  The Holy Spirit enters the heart of believers at the moment of spiritual birth and remains permanently:

I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of Truth…you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you 

(John 14:16-17).

Lately, much interest has focused on identification of family members through DNA.  The Holy Spirit, too, identifies believers as children of God.  Even if parents went to court and denied their children, their DNA would belie their claim. God, the perfect Parent of believers, will never deny His children and the Holy Spirit, living in their hearts, serves as His promise:

He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee 

(2 Corinthians 5:5).

Physical DNA has served to identify and convict lawbreakers in many cases.  Likewise, the Holy Spirit convicts God’s children of their wrongdoings and helps them grow to be more like Christ:

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord

(2 Corinthians 3:17-18).

Additionally, the Holy Spirit serves to keep us in touch with the Father as He translates our requests into heavenly language:

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses.  For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God

 (Romans 8:26-27).

How freeing it is to know that even though we make mistakes and are sometimes downright rebellious, God’s Holy Spirit living in us guarantees our place in His family, and helps us grow toward spiritual maturity.

Father, thank You for Your Spirit Who lives in us today,

Proving we belong to You, and leading all the way.

Help us rest in reassurance of our family place with You,

Striving to live with honor as He’s leading us to do.