Genealogy

[Christ4Ever]

"Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as [our] father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Luke 3:8 NKJV

Interest in genealogy research has skyrocketed with the advent of the internet and DNA analysis. Sites like Ancestry.com and services like 23andMe make it possible to identify previously unknown family members across the globe. The idea of belonging to a specific family is an important aspect of someone’s identity as a person.

This was especially true in New Testament times. Paul, a former Pharisee, cited his ancestry as potential source of pride. In Philippians 3:4-5, he says, “If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eight day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee.”

Family is important, but if your identity is caught up more in your genealogy than in being a child of God, your priorities are off. God wants the world to see your resemblance to Him more than your resemblance to your parents or grandparents.

Want to look like your heavenly Father? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. Show the Spirit’s work in your life. Humbly love others as God loves you.

Prayer: God, may I look like You.

 

[GodB4Us]

"Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as [our] father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Luke 3:8 NKJV

Interest in genealogy research has skyrocketed with the advent of the internet and DNA analysis. Sites like Ancestry.com and services like 23andMe make it possible to identify previously unknown family members across the globe. The idea of belonging to a specific family is an important aspect of someone’s identity as a person.

This was especially true in New Testament times. Paul, a former Pharisee, cited his ancestry as potential source of pride. In Philippians 3:4-5, he says, “If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eight day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee.”

Family is important, but if your identity is caught up more in your genealogy than in being a child of God, your priorities are off. God wants the world to see your resemblance to Him more than your resemblance to your parents or grandparents.

Want to look like your heavenly Father? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. Show the Spirit’s work in your life. Humbly love others as God loves you.

Prayer: God, may I look like You.

How do we do look like our heavenly Father? How do we bear fruit in keeping with repentance after we have been saved by faith in Jesus Christ & by the grace of God?

Trust Jesus Christ to do this.

John 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

That is something little children can do and indeed, what Jesus requires of us even for entering in; to believe Him.

Mark 10:13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

Philippians 1: 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:.... 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Psalm 19:12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. 13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.