When meeting new people from other congregations of the Lord’s Church, I enjoy being able to establish a connection to a mutual friend, an acquaintance, or someone we both knew. In January our youngest son married a beautiful young lady from the Mt. Juliet church of Christ. Prior to the wedding I was looking through some of the history for the Mt. Juliet congregation, I learned that my great uncle was a member there. His father, my great grandfather, was also an elder at another local congregation. Based on genealogy research by my aunt, I am at least a fourth generation Christian.
I am personally grateful and give thanks that my parents, grandparents and great-grandparents were Christians. And I give thanks that my children are likewise Christians. I hate to think where I might be had God’s Word not been a part of my heritage.
What does this all mean when it comes down to my relationship with God? Nothing, if I personally do not grow myself and work out my own salvation. It does not matter what generation Christian you are nor if your father was a preacher or elder. Earthly heritage does not get us to heaven. What about you? Are you “feeling attached” only because of your family heritage and only because “that just is who we are”?
Are you active or passive in your faith? Are you putting into practice the things which you have heard and been taught? Are you growing daily in knowledge and wisdom? Are you working out your own salvation, even though your parents are no longer here? Are you ensuring that the Word of God is being taught to others and to your children?
All of us must give an account individually to God for ourselves. It will not matter from where we came. “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;” (Philippians 2:12).
For the elders, Terry Clark