AN AFRICAN missionary told the interesting story of a custom some of the African people had years ago. When two young men became very friendly, sometimes they would enter into what they termed “blood relationship.” One would take a sharp little knife and cut a small vein in his hand, and the other would do the same to his hand. Then they would clasp hands, and from that time on it was understood that they had entered into blood relationship.
The missionary went on to tell of how a young Congolese, who had attended the gospel meetings at the mission, left his idols and became a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. He was publicly baptized before a very large crowd of neighbors and village folk, and there he bravely confessed his Saviour. Among those present was the heathen chief of that area.
“Chief,” asked the young convert, “have you not seen a very great change in me lately?”
“I have,” the chief replied.
“Can you explain it, Chief?”
“I really cannot,” answered the chief.
“I will tell you, Chief,” added the young fellow, with deepest solemnity, “I have entered into blood relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. His blood has washed my sins away, and I am under the shelter of His blood.”
How happy it would be if we could all say the same as this young African. Not by any painful act of our own, but by simple faith in Him, we become truly united to the Lord Jesus.
In John 1:12,1312But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12‑13), we read: “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
“Not of blood,” means those who are born into God’s family are not brought in because they were born of Christian parents. Children with Christian fathers and mothers are lost and need a Saviour just like all the rest of Adam’s fallen race.
“Nor of the will of the flesh,” means we can’t become God’s children by our own will or any doings of our own.
“Nor of the will of man,” means that no man nor any human power can make us God’s children.
But those who become sons or children of God are those that believe on the name of Jesus as their Saviour and are thus born of God. It is because of the blood of Jesus, God’s dear Son, that God can act in grace toward those who trust in Him.
ML-06/28/1964