Have you ever wondered why people do the things they do, why they make the choices they make, live the lifestyle they live? Research has shown that much of it has to do with genetics; our DNA makes us who we are. I believe there is truth to that, as the Bible points out that we are all sinners by nature; we all have a bent towards sin. However, I also believe that too many people would like to use their DNA as an excuse to sin. Our sinful nature cannot be used as a justification for sin, because when we accept Christ as our Savior, He gives us a new nature!
But today, I want to do more than examine the genetics of individuals — I want to consider the nature of the church. A church that is vibrant and electric with God’s presence has the DNA of God in it. Not coincidentally, this kind of church is actively reaching the lost, because that is the heart of God. We are doing what we can to change the DNA of a lost world.
I. The Old Testament
We begin at the beginning — When Adam and Eve fell, thereby infecting all mankind with the curse of sin, God promised in Genesis 3:15 a Redeemer — the first of many such promises. Later, in chapter 12, God promised Abraham that he would make of him a great nation, through whom all nations on earth would be blessed. Why? The Redeemer would come from that nation (Israel). All through the Old Testament we see God reaching out to fallen man. Many are tempted to skip over the prophecies of the Old Testament — DON”T! Isaiah is known as the Old Testament Gospel for its many references to a coming Redeemer. Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, in the middle of all the gloom and doom promises a new covenant between God and man, and says that God will replace our heart of stone with a heart of flesh. Joel prophesied that in the last days, God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh.
II. The New Testament
Then came Jesus! When He began His public ministry, John the Baptist declared Him to be “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” In other words, Jesus came to change the DNA of mankind. When He died on the Cross, Paul tells us in Galatians that we redeemed mankind from the curse described way back in Genesis. Then, before he ascended, Jesus gave His disciples the Great Commission, in which He told them (us) to preach the good news to all creation.” It was His plan that we be involved in changing the DNA of mankind. Following His Ascension, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the early Church, empowering them to carry out this commission, and putting a DNA, a genetic nature, into His Church.
III. The Church Today
In John 20:21, Jesus declared, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” The Book of Acts ends abruptly, as if the last chapters were lost. They weren’t lost; they had yet to be written! The Holy Spirit is still being poured out on the Church today, because our mission is still the heart beat of God’s! Unfortunately, the church of today has become ingrown. Anyone with an ingrown toenail knows the pain and suffering and unusual sensitivity of the affected toe. An ingrown church is the same way. They become sensitive to every little offense, and peripheral issues are more important than reaching lost souls. Ingrown churches have lost the very life of God, and are dead to the core.
God has called, empowered and equipped the church to be an army — that is our God-given nature! An army that is advancing, conquered and focused. So I challenge you first to arm yourselves, according to Ephesians 6. Then, fall in! Stop doing your own thing, and get on board with what God is calling the church to be! Then, keep your eyes on the Commander-in-Chief, Jesus!