It’s popular today to dismiss all religions as merely an accident of birth. If a person is born in Pakistan, the odds are that she will be a Muslim. India produces Hindus, Thailand makes Buddhists, Brazilians tend to be Catholics, and so on. Have you wondered if the only reason you believe in Jesus is due to the influence of your parents or others? Is becoming a believer simply about being born in the right family?
The Christian faith does tend to run in families, and for good reason. God often uses people to bring sinners to Himself. Paul said, “ ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.’ But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? . . . That is why the Scriptures say, ‘How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!’ ” (Romans 10:13-15). This might require crossing an ocean with the gospel, but it should always start at home.
Paul told Timothy that a Christian heritage is a reason to praise God. He wrote, “Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers” (2 Timothy 1:3). The apostle chose to follow Christ and he implored Timothy to do the same. If you learned about Jesus from your parents, that’s something to be thankful for. But, regardless of where you were born or how you were raised, you can truly give thanks for the family of believers you’re now a part of. And, at home with those you love as well as with others you know, it’s your joy to freely share how to join the family of God.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Deuteronomy 34:1-12
More:
Read Deuteronomy 6:1-25 to learn ways you can perpetuate or establish a godly heritage for your children or those who look up to you.
Next:
What heritage have you received from your parents or other mentors? How will you pass on your beliefs to those you know?
tgustafs on February 26, 2015 at 6:38 am
Mike, you raise a very good question and handle it well here. Thank you for this valuable post. This stresses the imperative to share our faith in creative and loving ways!
Marlena Graves on February 26, 2015 at 9:00 am
I heard about Jesus from my uncle. My abuelita impressed upon me the importance of reading Scripture, not through her words, but by her example. I am grateful for them. I also realize God places us all in various places and times throughout the earth that we might find him (Acts 17:26-28). Thank you!
Tom Felten on February 26, 2015 at 1:24 pm
It’s interesting how Paul points to the natural world as a source for people to recognize God and His attributes: “Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God” (Romans 1:20). Creation is one place to start with those who don’t yet believe in Jesus.
Mike Wittmer on February 26, 2015 at 2:13 pm
I am thankful for my godly parents, who intentionally led me to Jesus and passed their values on to me. If anyone does not have that heritage, the good news is that you get to start one!
Winn Collier on February 28, 2015 at 5:29 pm
hopefully the love of God is real in our home first… that is where we are seen the most clearly, without masks.