As we begin a new year, can I take you back to the book of beginnings to look at the first new year ever created? Genesis is the “book of beginnings” for in it you find the beginnings of life, marriage, sin, grace, human government, nations, and so much more. It is a remarkable book! In Genesis 1 we find a phrase that is frequently repeated, “after its own kind." This phrase is repeated in Genesis 1:11, 12, 21, 24, 25. Every living thing, whether plants, birds, fish, or animals, is told to reproduce after their own kind. If God repeats a phrase that often, it must have great significance. What does it mean to reproduce “after its own kind?” The Hebrew word translated “kind” means “species” and indicates that plants reproduce other plants of the same species, birds reproduce other birds of the same species, fish reproduce other fish of the same species, animals reproduce other animals of the same species. Each reproduces its own species. Orange trees reproduce orange trees, not apple trees. Walleyed pike reproduce walleyed pike not porpoises. Elephants reproduce elephants not lions.

Why am I telling you this? Because what is true in the physical realm is also true in the moral and spiritual realms. We reproduce after our own kind. For example, in the moral realm, truth-telling parents reproduce truth-telling children. Lying parents reproduce lying children. Angry parents produce angry children. In the spiritual realm, worshiping parents reproduce worshiping children. Praying parents reproduce praying children. Serving parents reproduce serving children. We reproduce after our own kind. It was true of Jesus and His Father. Jesus declared, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father" (John 14:9). He reflected His Father. Are there ever exceptions to the biblical principle of reproduction after our own kind? Yes. God can save the children of unsaved, immoral parents and change the course of future generations.

What do you want to see in your children? Kindness? Generosity? Courage? Compassion? Purity? If you do, intentionally begin to live those qualities out in front of them. You will reproduce little versions of yourself. One of the major factors in motivating Elsie and me to launch the National Coalition For Purity is the desire to see our children and grandchildren walk in sexual purity. They needed to be able to stand against the immorality in the world. Purity is not just for you. It’s for those who will come after you. As Steve Green sings, “let all who come behind us find us faithful.” Amen! Let us reproduce after our own kind . . . pure men and women who love Jesus Christ with all our being. Is this a “Genesis” year for you, a year for a new beginning? Is it time to make a new beginning in your purity?