Heritage

Heritage

by Pete Berardi

There are many things to be proud of in this world. Status, financial security, material possessions, relationships are all things that are as feathers in the cap of many people. One feather that many people place a lot of faith in and are proud of is their heritage. My family is especially proud of their heritage. I have many relatives that are from the old country and are quite selective when it comes to making friends and choosing which people to like. It is the opinion of many people in my family that if you are Italian, you are okay in my book.

My heritage, although I am a descendent of the Italians, is not Italian. When people become saved, put their faith in Christ, and call themselves Christians, they become part of the family of God. This is their new heritage. Romans 9:4 states Who are Israelites; to whom [pertaineth] the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service [of God], and the promises;

When Moses brought the Israelites out of the bondage of Egypt, God promised them the land of Canaan. This land was the inheritance of the Israelites and became a symbol of their heritage. It is as if God’s people are all adopted by Him and their new heritage is him. Exodus 6:8 states And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I [am] the LORD.

The same holds true for us today. Because I am a Christian, I am a part of the Family of God. My heritage is the testimonies of God (Psalms 119:111a). God has adopted me into his family and I am his son.

Yes I am Italian. But my heritage is God. I will only have pride in the fact that God chose me and adopted me. His testimonies are the rejoicing of my heart (Psalms 119:111b). As Christians we should consider all fellow Christians as family. A fellow believer is a brother and a sister. Mark 3:34 states, speaking of Jesus, And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

Interestingly enough, God also thinks of his people as his heritage. Micah 7:18 states Who [is] a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth [in] mercy.