What generation were you born in? The Lost Generation? The GI or Greatest Generation? The Silent Generation? Are you a Baby Boomer? Gen X? Millennial/Y? Or maybe Gen-Z? Giving names to generations is believed to have began in the early 20th century. What was the purpose? Most likely an attempt to place people in categories to get a demographic or general picture of their characteristics-such as attitudes and values. Another word for it would be 'pigeon hole' which means to categorize in a restrictive way.
While anyone may relate to a particular generation because of shared experiences (eg. historical events, societal attitudes) this doesn't mean everyone has the same response to them. After all we are individuals with different mindsets and motivations. Besides our perceptions and perspectives can be skewed at times. Labels can do that to us also. Would you want to be stereotyped as "The Lost Generation" or "The Silent Generation"?
The Generation of Promise
If you are a true blood bought child of God then you are part of the chosen generation of promise. How were you chosen for this great honor? You believed and received the gospel of Jesus Christ. You didn't just have a head knowledge of it. You fully realized your sinfulness, repented, and accepted Jesus' perfect sacrifice for your redemption. We were all once a part of the 'lost generation'-but no more!
Believers Receive Promise By Faith (Galatians 3)
8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Yes, Abraham did have faith in God. How do we know? Because he obeyed God's voice and began his journey toward the promised land. Each step was a step of faith because he didn't have a map to read. Abraham was trusting in a living God who communicated with him. He'd promised ( 1) Through Abraham's (Abram) descendants He'd establish a great nation. What's more God told him that all the families of the earth would be blessed as a result (Genesis 12) (2)He'd make Abraham a father of many nations.(Genesis 17)
Now let's look at the promises. Does God keep his word? Sarah has the promised son Isaac when Abraham is 100 years old. He against hope believed in hope because he knew His God was faithful. (Romans 4:17-19) In the beginning Sarah had laughed at the very idea of it. But she eventually trusted God for the promise also. (Hebrews 11:11) Through their miracle son Isaac, the Hebrew people came to be and soon the nation of Israel emerged. Later, from the lineage of King David, Jesus Christ was born. He was the promised Messiah, not only for the Jews but the Gentiles also. Which means all the nations of the world have been blessed by Him-the Savior of the World.
Yet, you may wonder how did Abram become the father of many nations as God had promised when he changed his name to Abraham. It may seem obvious to some that his descendants - born through Isaac and his older son Ishmael- were the many nations through which the promise was accomplished. But that is the natural side of the answer. There was a spiritual promise made too-a supernatural eternal answer for the redeeming of mankind.
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Galatians 3:14
Jesus commanded the apostles to wait at Jerusalem for the promise of the Father. What's more, Jesus told us about the Comforter- the Spirit of Truth- in John 14,15,&16. It was the Day of Pentecost. After those in the upper room had received the Holy Ghost, Peter preached to the large crowd that had gathered out of every nation for the Jewish feast. The message convicted them of their sins and when they asked what they should do, Peter said repent, be baptized and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.(Acts2)
Diversity without Division In God's Kingdom
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise
Galatians 3:26-29
Walking By Faith (Hebrews 11)
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Promised Land(Revelation 7)
9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
Do you know anyone who feels disillusioned, aimless, and fearful in the midst of the chaos of this world? Maybe they're filled with rebellion and living as though there's no tomorrow. Reach out to them and be a witness. Tell them Jesus Christ is the Living Hope and He can give them 'living water'- the Spirit of the One True God and soon coming King. He always keeps His promises.
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