Riding On The Coattails

Genesis 35: 6, 7

So Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him.

He built an altar there, and called the place El-bethel, because there God had revealed Himself to him when he fled from his brother.

John 3: 3 – 6

Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?”

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

Noah was the first man to build an altar. He offered a thanksgiving sacrifice to God Almighty for preserving his family through the flood. Abraham built an altar when God spoke to him and he often called on the name of God. Isaac, observing his elderly father calling on the name of God, also built an altar at every new place he sojourned and called on the name of God Almighty often. Jacob was the last man in the book of Genesis to build an altar and call upon the name of God. His twelve sons neither built an altar nor called on the name of God.

Jacob, when he fled from the wrath of his brother Esau, encountered God on the way. He didn’t have means to set up an altar as he was on the run. However, he set up a stone as a reminder. Years later, when he comes back to the region, he first builds an altar at the same location where he first encountered God and calls on the name of the God. He wrestles with God and seeks His blessing. However, Jacob couldn’t instill the same devotion and loyalty to God in his children. Except for Joseph, none of the sons of Jacob worshiped God as their ancestors did. Joseph, for the most part of his life was in Egypt where he quietly worshiped God. He probably didn’t have means to set up altar and worship God. Despite being by himself, Joseph continued to worship God through his work, being kind and trusting God.

Jacob’s sons didn’t have faith of their own. They were riding on the coattails of the faith of their ancestors. Reuben defiled his father’s bed. Simeon and Levi went on a murderous rampage when their sister was defiled. Judah impregnated his own daughter-in-law. The ten sons of Jacob were jealous of Joseph as he was the beloved son of Jacob. Their jealousy even drove them to think of murdering their own brother. When Reuben interfered, they sold him as a slave.

If our ancestors lived righteous lives, then it is a wonderful blessing. Their lives and testimonies could inspire us to walk a closer walk with God. However, their faith cannot carry us into God’s Kingdom. We are on our own. We need to have a faith which is our own. We cannot ride on the coattails of our ancestors’ faith. When Nicodemus asked Jesus about the Kingdom of God, Jesus clearly stated that one needs to be born again to enter the Kingdom of God. Jesus never said that the faith of our ancestors is the entry ticket into the Kingdom of God.

We must believe in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He alone can save us. No other name can save us. No other faith can save us. No other deity can save us. Christ alone can save us. In order for us to enter into the Kingdom of God, we must have a personal relationship with Jesus each individually. We must be His true worshipers. At the altars of our hearts, we must worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Our ancestors’ faith may be a wonderful inheritance but we cannot ride on the coattails of their faith. We are on our own. Let us embrace this truth and have that personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Each individual’s journey of faith is unique. Yes, we may draw inspiration from others but unless we submit to Christ’s authority, we are doomed for destruction. Let us quit relying on the prayers and faith of others and trust God on our own. As God weaves a beautiful, colorful robe, let us ensure that we become part of that robe. Let us enter the Kingdom with hearts full of praise and thanksgiving. Let us become the true worshipers of our Savior as we await that great day when we will be clothed in a robe of righteousness, given a crown of glory and reign with our Savior for all eternity.