Daily Devotional for September 3, 2020
Family Traits
There was much excitement as Jase and his family waited at the airport. Uncle Dan and Aunt Mary were returning home after spending several years serving as missionaries. Everyone was eager to see their little son, Benjamin, who had been born in Africa.
When the families finally got together, Jase stood back while the grownups greeted one another. Then Uncle Dan turned toward him. “And this must be little Jase—but you’re not so little anymore, are you?”
“I’m six years old,” Jase proudly told Uncle Dan.
Uncle Dan grinned. “Yes, you’ve grown up while we were gone. I see you have your mother’s eyes.”
Jase’s mom pointed to the little boy Aunt Mary was holding. “And your son looks just like you, Dan,” Mom said.
“Yes.” Uncle Dan laughed joyfully. “He’s my boy!”
On the way home that night, Jase asked, “How did I get Mom’s eyes? And why does Benjamin look like Uncle Dan?”
“Kids inherit certain things from their parents—like the shape of their face or the color of their hair and eyes,” replied Jase’s older sister, Meg. “You got Mom’s brown eyes, and Benjamin got his dad’s curly hair. We can inherit other kinds of things too—like a talent for music or an interest in building things. Right, Dad?”
“Right. And there’s one thing we all inherit, going back to the first people God created,” said Dad.
“What’s that?” asked Jase.
“Our sinful nature,” Dad replied. “When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they became sinners, and that sinful nature has been passed down to us.”
“And that’s why we all do things that are wrong, isn’t it?” Meg asked.
“Right,” said Dad, “but because Jesus lived a perfect life and died to take the punishment for our sins, we can be forgiven. When we trust in Jesus, we become part of God’s family, and He passes His righteousness—His goodness—on to us. Even though we still sin, the inheritance we get from Jesus replaces the sin we inherited from Adam. That means we can resist doing things that are wrong, and one day, when Jesus returns, He’ll get rid of sin forever!”
Jase smiled. “I’m glad I got Mom’s eyes, but I’m even more happy I have Jesus’ goodness because I trust in Him!” • Jan L. Hansen
How about you?
Can you tell which traits you inherited from your parents? Maybe you have your dad’s nose or your mom’s hair. Did you know you also inherited a sinful nature? You were born a sinner, but unlike the physical traits you inherited, that one can be changed. If you trust in Jesus, you’ll inherit His righteousness and be part of His family forever. (To learn more, click the “Good News!” button in the right column of this page.)
Thank you for reading this Keys for Kids devotional! Did you enjoy the story? Has Keys for Kids been an encouragement to you and your family? If so, would you please consider supporting Keys For Kids Ministries in our effort to continue to provide these daily devotionals to children around the world?