Blood Will Tell
My sister, Clemie Jo, and my sister-in-law, Jo came to visit this last weekend. I was grateful they were able to make the trip, my sister’s first to Sumter. We had a chance to show her the town and they were able to come to worship before they had to make the return trip.
Clemie Jo had the opportunity to meet several of my friends. Then we had to hear what we have heard our whole lives: “You two look just alike!” A couple people put a twist on it: “Now we know what Clay would like as a woman!” Even though Clemie Jo and I are eleven years apart in age, people have always remarked about our strong resemblance. Her children and mine could pass for siblings.
What do you say to remarks like that? There is an old Southern expression, “Blood will tell.” It originally referred to bloodlines in horses, cattle, and dogs, but quickly was applied to humans. My sister and I bear out the truth of that expression – our gene pool may not be wide (did I mention the intermarriage of several cousins?) but it is deep.
There is another pattern imprinted on us all – the pattern of Adam. When theologians talk about original sin, they are trying to describe this human proclivity to do the wrong thing. We see people self-destruct and wonder “why?” Original sin.
Some people justify themselves by thinking, “I’m not perfect, but I’ve never done anything really bad.” Have you ever heard about people who are good in the worst way? Good behavior can be wrapped up in a critical, judgmental, withdrawn heart.
Original sin is why everyone needs grace. When you are humble before God, admitting fault and flaw, God spreads His grace over you with a thickness that melts away sin and sadness.
It is the blood of Jesus that brings this grace. His sacrifice overcomes the twisted flaws of your gene pool and mine. If we receive His grace, everything can be changed.
It really comes down to this question: whose blood will tell – yours? Or His?
