My niece called the other day with this question. “Aunt Sally, what is our heritage?”

“Yours is mostly English. Why?”

“Well, maybe that’s not what I want to know. I mean what’s my ethnicity?”

“White bread, honey. White bread. Our ethnicity doesn’t really make a difference. We’re all descended from Adam and Eve, ultimately.”

As I thought about it later, what I said to her was true. We’re all a part of God’s creation. But not all of us are a part of God’s family. In order to be a part of God’s family we have to receive Jesus.

John 1:12 says, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,”

Many times as I read scripture, I’m drawn to certain words. I want to understand the exact, original meaning of the language. A free handy online tool is blueletterbible.com. The following is what I found there.

• “Received” in the Greek is lambano=to take.
To make one’s own
To associate with one’s self as companion, attendant
Of that which when taken is not let go.
To appropriate to one’s self
To receive what is offered
Not to refuse or reject
To receive a person; give access to one’s self.
To take, choose, select.

• “Children” in the Greek is teknon=offspring, children.
That intimate and reciprocal relationship, as between parents and children.

I love Greek and Hebrew words. They have so many levels of meaning the English language doesn’t have.

Have you truly received Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Are you enjoying the rich relationship He came to give you? Are you in His family, or merely His creation?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want to be in Your family. I want to know You as You desire to be known. Come in. Forgive my sin. Make me Yours today. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Amen.