GENEOLOGY IS FUN

Anyone who has enjoyed looking into his or her family history knows that one’s genealogy can turn up some interesting results. Last month I reported on some events at the conclusion of Nelda’s and my vacation that were unexpected, unpleasant and unfortunate, but which left us unharmed and grateful. But the vacation itself to that point was very delightful and enlightening. Not only did we visit many important sites in and around Washington D.C. that reinforced our appreciation of American history, but a number of places connected with my genealogical history. Beginning with the Moores of Prince George County Maryland arriving in the 17th century we followed their migration westward as pioneers to Fayette County Pennsylvania and to Adam’s County Ohio. We met Moores in these places that were able to show us where our ancestors lived, fought, farmed and raised their families. They became good friends even if our relationships might be somewhat obscure. The surprise of it all, however, was after our return home and hearing from a niece also researching our history that we may not be descended from these Moores after all, but that my grandfather was likely adopted by one of them later living in Illinois. Perhaps this explains why my Y-Chromosome DNA test results don’t fit well with most of the Moores of which I could compare. Oh well, I still consider myself a Moore by the legitimization of adoption as well as their family history, traditions and values.

In the same way, all of us who believe in the testimony of Jesus Christ are legitimized as God’s children, descendants of the Christian family of faith and true heirs of all that our adoption as son’s guarantees. We don’t have to go through court records, census data or cemeteries to research our genealogy in the Faith, all we have to do is go to God’s Word. For there it is clearly established in the only court that really matters, the court of the Kingdom of God’s Son. Ephesians 1:3-6 is just one of many places in the Bible where this promise is recorded:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved."

The value of this spiritual and eternal genealogy is also found in the relationships that we enjoy. Other members of our family with the name Christian become true friends and with them we can enjoy our common genealogy, for we are all adopted, we are all brothers and sisters sharing the same family history, from the Bible and the history of Christ’s church on earth. With them we can live, work, promote the Kingdom and enjoy the spiritual fruits of our faith in Christ.
So, whether you are interested in your own family’s genealogy or not, and it can be fun, take especial interest in your Christian name and family tree.

That can be a lot of fun too.