Ancestry!

Family history can be very interesting. Some people spend lots of money to have their ancestry researched. Then there are others who put forth great effort to cover it up. Nevertheless, whatever the ancestry has been -- good or bad -- it is what it is. The real issue is what is our own focus for life?

Someone has said, “The kind of ancestors we have had is not as important as the kind of descendants our ancestors have.” [source: “1600 Squibs And Quips”, compiled by E. C. McKenzie]

Consider Hezekiah, the thirteenth king of the kingdom of Judah. He was one of the best kings the southern kingdom had. However, he descended from Ahaz who was a wicked king ( 2 Kings 16:2-4) and was the father of Manasseh who was one of the worst kings ( 2 Kings 21:1-9). Following this ancestry through two more generations we find that Manasseh’s son Amon was also one of the worst kings, but Amon’s son Josiah was another one of the best. We therefore see good following bad and bad following good.

Our heritage may explain some things about us, but it does not necessarily define who we are. We have no control over the choices our ancestors made whether they were good or bad. However, we do make the choices regarding our own life. DESCENDANCY can end up either being a descending or an ascending line as far as the character of the life is concerned.

To some who placed great stock in their ancestry, Jesus pointed to the lack of a righteous link.
“(39) They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “IF YOU WERE ABRAHAM’S CHILDREN, YOU WOULD BE DOING WHAT ABRAHAM DID, (40) but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. THIS IS NOT WHAT ABRAHAM DID.” ( John 8:39-40 ESV)

These were not good DESCENDANTS. Rather than ascending to the level of character possessed by Abraham, they had descended to the depths of the essence of the devil. ( John 8:44)

As Christians, having been baptized into Christ, we have become “Abraham ’s offspring” and heirs of the promise made to him. ( Galatians 3:26-29) Wow! A DESCENDANT of Abraham! What a heritage with which to be associated! The real issue, however, is to consider what kind of DESCENDANTS of Abraham are we? Are we living with like faith? Is our life characterized by the obedience of Abraham? Are we willing to follow God wherever He leads as Abraham did?

May the characteristics of Abraham that were pleasing to God be evident in us as we go about our own daily lives. By also being people of faith we will be “blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.” ( Galatians 3:9)

Have a great day LIVING LIFE AS AN ASCENDING DESCENDANT!
Carl

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