A cousin of mine, Dean Redmond spent some time researching the ancestry of the name Redmond. That search took him to Ireland in 1969. And in 1978 he sent Donna, my daughter, some of his research. Years later I met Roger Parrow a missionary going to Ireland [who just recently passed away after many years of faithful service]. I told him about our ancestry and I hoped he would meet some Redmond’s.
Ancestry information is fascinating and leads to the discovery of many relatives. And leaves you with thoughts and questions about all those people. We want to know where we came from. But it is more important to know where you are going.
To know your beginning is important: You see our ancestry is not the main story; it is His Story that counts. There is no doubt He placed you in a family and gave you your earthly heritage. But you had your beginning from Jesus Christ the Creator, who gave you the breath of life. He wants you to know of your connection with Him as your Creator. Psalm 139:13-17, i.e. v15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth [means in your mother’s womb hidden from human intervention]. v16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
His Story goes from the Creator to the Saviour and has many side stories: from Creation to the flood, to the call of Abraham, to Moses, the crossing the Red Sea, the wandering of the Children of Israel, to Paul and Peter and to John on the isle of Patmos. But the side stories are just part of the main story: He came as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the World. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. He said I am come that ye might have life, Joh_10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
2Ti_1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.,
Not to believe is not to be persuaded, Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. --- That word believeth in last part of v36 and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Means literally, refusing to be persuaded (by the Lord) See G543 (apeítheia).
“Belief is persuasion:” If you are persuaded that something is true, you believe it. Meaning you have confidence in whom you have believed, Paul said, “…for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him
Are you persuaded that Jesus is able to keep that which He promised, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” John 6:47
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