DNA, ANCESTRY, and ETERNITY

Have you ever wondered about your ancestors, who they were and where they came from?

Members of my family have done on-line genealogical research, with interesting results, and they have had personal contact with distant and previously unknown relatives. If it weren’t so time consuming and addictive, I’d probably do some research myself. Perhaps one day…

For Christmas, my husband and I received DNA test kits—the kind where you spit into a tube, then seal the tube and mail it to the testing lab.

My DNA confirmed something I already knew: my European ancestry. It also confirmed that I probably don’t have dimples or a cleft chin (I don’t), I probably have brown hair and brown eyes (my hair used to be brown, and my eyes are brown), I probably don’t have freckles (I don’t), and I probably can match musical pitches (I can). My DNA shows that certain persons I don’t know are probably distant cousins. And so much more.

Wow, I never knew my spit could reveal so much about me!

Recently, my mother passed away on her 107^th birthday. She had an uncle who lived to be 105. I wonder if longevity is in my DNA.

Did you know that, even as no two people have the same fingerprints, no two people, not even identical twins, have identical DNA? We are individually and uniquely created by God.

“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;” Psalm 139:14 NKJV

Today DNA testing is used to disclose potential health problems related to ethnicity and genetics, find family members, and solve crimes. It’s an important tool for serious business as well as having a lighter side.

Your DNA affects who you are and how you look, but it doesn’t entirely define you. Upbringing, environment, and personal choices are a part of making you, you. Your faith, your family, and your friends impact who you are and the choices you make.

“Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom, And in all your getting, get understanding.” Proverbs 4:7

“Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil.” Proverbs 4:14

Through the blood Jesus Christ shed for us on the cross, followers of Christ are spiritually related. Christians refer to themselves as brothers and sisters, members of God’s family by adoption, when we believe that Jesus Christ, God the Son, died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15: 3,4) and receive Him as our Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9). It’s not a biological relationship with shared DNA, but we share certain Christ-like characteristics as “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control,” (Galatians 5:22,23) as we allow His Spirit to work in and through us.

Scripture tells us that when we receive Him, He gives us the right to be called God’s children (John 1:12) and call God “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). Our spiritual inheritance as members of God’s family includes forgiveness for our sins and eternal life.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7)

“…the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Your biological ancestry revealed through DNA may indicate what part of the world your ancestors came from, the probability of your hair and eye color, whether you have dimples, and the possibility of a certain health problem. However, it doesn’t control your eternity. The choice is yours. God’s invitation to join His family is open.