In this series, “Children of God Do Not Sleep,” we have been examining the questions that Jonah’s colleagues in the ship were asking him at the time of trouble on the sea.  The fifth question they asked him was, “. . . of what people are you?” (Jonah 1:8.)  Jonah was able to answer this question with confidence because he was a Hebrew (Jonah 1:9).  Hebrew people are descendants of Heber, or dwellers on the other side of river Euphrates or passers over (Philippians 3:5).  Abraham and his descendants are so called (Genesis 14:13).  Therefore, Jonah was proud to belong to the chosen generation, although his attitude of running away from God was illegitimate; for Abraham walked with God and it was encrypted for him as righteousness.

But, belonging to a chosen generation demands continuing in the will of who has chosen you.  Some people’s claim of being ‘Christians’ has no other basis than that they were born in a Christian home.  Being a child of a Christian, a pastor or a deacon does not qualify you to be a child of God, if you do not have a personal encounter with the Lord.  God has children but not grandchildren.  As parents, Grace and I made our children know this fact, and we led them to Christ.  They can tell the story of their encounter with Christ and of their baptism.  Each of them composed a song which we often sing together as a family, especially at our times of devotion.

As a Christian, it means you have repented of your sins and accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.  If you are a member of the family of God, let your life portray who you are.  If the Lord has touched your heart, let your life portray who you are.  If God has called you out of darkness to the marvelous light of God’s dear Son, let your life portray who you are.  As a child of Pastor or Minister, do not live a life of “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau” (Genesis 27:22).  Be thankful to God for being in the family where God has brought you forth and continue to be in the company of those who fear the Lord and keep His commands.