"For if you love them which love you, what thank have you? For sinners also love those that love them. And if you do good to them which do good to you, what thank have you? For sinners also do even the same. …But love your enemies and do good and lend, hoping for nothing in return and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest, for He is kind unto the unthankful and the evil.”
Luke 6:32-33 & 35
The Human Genome Project is a relatively new science determined to unlock the “code to human life” as we know it. Not simply the double helix we have become familiar with, but a science much deeper and much more complex.
With the emergence of 21st century computer technology, scientists gained the ability to reduce DNA sequencing down to a single molecule. More importantly, the genome project has cracked the genetic code giving scientists the ability to probe the unique code God ordained to create each person. It is a fascinating technology which will offer each person the opportunity to understand his/her own personal blueprint of genetic strengths, weaknesses, or potential flaws. And, while there are some people who will seek to create “designer babies,” most people will simply want to understand how to live the best life they can with the genetic cards they have been dealt. Currently, only the wealthy can afford to know their genomic past and some of the predetermined hazards of their potential genomic future. However, in the near future, the cost is scheduled to drop significantly. Obviously, no one can determine, even after all that probing, planning, and knowledge, if you will fall prey to a freak accident or major disaster but, God. -So, heed any predictions carefully and prayerfully.
What’s even more interesting about this is, unlike fingerprints which uniquely separate us from everyone else in the world, our genome connects us to all other people in the world. From a historical standpoint, genetic scientists can also identify every living cousin, or our nearest living relatives around the world. Even more fascinating, is that these scientists have already mapped the origin of humanity’s existence back to Africa; and, as shocking as it will be to some people, back to Africans, not apes.
By now, you must be wondering, “What does all of this have to do with Jesus?” Well, while thinking about the ancestral mapping of the human genome, and its ability to give us historical data relating to every ancestor we have ever had. Not to mention, every common ancestor between us and every living human being on the earth today; consider this. —With so much hate between entire nations, various races, opposing religions, countless ideals, and ideologies; ask yourself this question. What will you do when you find out that your closest living relative, other than the ones you already know, is someone who, on the surface, seemingly does not look like you, yet is your ancestral genetic replica on the inside?
What will you do when you find out that your blood relatives are African, Caucasian, or Asian? What about German or French, Armenian or Turkish, Serb or Croatian, Ethiopian or Eritrean? As for religions, we know that Muslims and Jews are genetic and biblical cousins; Jews and Christians are genetic and biblical brothers and sisters; all separated by interpretation and misinterpretations of the Old & New Testaments. And, we haven’t even touched all of the subdivisions of various other religions created based on culture and tradition.
In Luke 6:32, Jesus said that loving someone who loves you is unremarkable; everyone does so, even the wicked. And repaying goodness with goodness, is also unremarkable, everyone does it, even those that are evil.
Our love of Jesus Christ separates us as His chosen nation, one that follows a very specific and ordained dogma. We have sworn our allegiance to God, and to love our neighbors as ourselves, showing love not because our neighbor loved us first; but, because God said, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light!”
Yes, you have been set aside to show His marvelous Light to the world. So, if you really want to do something absolutely remarkable, something so extraordinary that Jesus said it would prove that you are His true follower; offer goodness and Love toward those who you will receive nothing from in return—except maybe, wonderment and awe. L.
Study Reference: Luke 6:31-36, 1 Peter 2:9
From: "The Human Genome." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Fabian Oefner
"For if you love them which love you, what thank have you? For sinners also love those that love them. And if you do good to them which do good to you, what thank have you? For sinners also do even the same. …But love your enemies and do good and lend, hoping for nothing in return and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest, for He is kind unto the unthankful and the evil.”
Luke 6:32-33 & 35
The Human Genome Project is a relatively new science determined to unlock the “code to human life” as we know it. Not simply the double helix we have become familiar with, but a science much deeper and much more complex.
With the emergence of 21st century computer technology, scientists gained the ability to reduce DNA sequencing down to a single molecule. More importantly, the genome project has cracked the genetic code giving scientists the ability to probe the unique code God ordained to create each person. It is a fascinating technology which will offer each person the opportunity to understand his/her own personal blueprint of genetic strengths, weaknesses, or potential flaws. And, while there are some people who will seek to create “designer babies,” most people will simply want to understand how to live the best life they can with the genetic cards they have been dealt. Currently, only the wealthy can afford to know their genomic past and some of the predetermined hazards of their potential genomic future. However, in the near future, the cost is scheduled to drop significantly. Obviously, no one can determine, even after all that probing, planning, and knowledge, if you will fall prey to a freak accident or major disaster but, God. -So, heed any predictions carefully and prayerfully.
What’s even more interesting about this is, unlike fingerprints which uniquely separate us from everyone else in the world, our genome connects us to all other people in the world. From a historical standpoint, genetic scientists can also identify every living cousin, or our nearest living relatives around the world. Even more fascinating, is that these scientists have already mapped the origin of humanity’s existence back to Africa; and, as shocking as it will be to some people, back to Africans, not apes.
By now, you must be wondering, “What does all of this have to do with Jesus?” Well, while thinking about the ancestral mapping of the human genome, and its ability to give us historical data relating to every ancestor we have ever had. Not to mention, every common ancestor between us and every living human being on the earth today; consider this. —With so much hate between entire nations, various races, opposing religions, countless ideals, and ideologies; ask yourself this question. What will you do when you find out that your closest living relative, other than the ones you already know, is someone who, on the surface, seemingly does not look like you, yet is your ancestral genetic replica on the inside?
What will you do when you find out that your blood relatives are African, Caucasian, or Asian? What about German or French, Armenian or Turkish, Serb or Croatian, Ethiopian or Eritrean? As for religions, we know that Muslims and Jews are genetic and biblical cousins; Jews and Christians are genetic and biblical brothers and sisters; all separated by interpretation and misinterpretations of the Old & New Testaments. And, we haven’t even touched all of the subdivisions of various other religions created based on culture and tradition.
In Luke 6:32, Jesus said that loving someone who loves you is unremarkable; everyone does so, even the wicked. And repaying goodness with goodness, is also unremarkable, everyone does it, even those that are evil.
Our love of Jesus Christ separates us as His chosen nation, one that follows a very specific and ordained dogma. We have sworn our allegiance to God, and to love our neighbors as ourselves, showing love not because our neighbor loved us first; but, because God said, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light!”
Yes, you have been set aside to show His marvelous Light to the world. So, if you really want to do something absolutely remarkable, something so extraordinary that Jesus said it would prove that you are His true follower; offer goodness and Love toward those who you will receive nothing from in return—except maybe, wonderment and awe. L.
Study Reference: Luke 6:31-36, 1 Peter 2:9
From: "The Human Genome." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Fabian Oefner
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