We very often confuse or misunderstand or fail to know who God’s family is. While some say God’s family means Christians, others say it means people that God has created irrespective of their religious beliefs or creed. God’s family is sometimes described as the family of Abraham, Acts 13:26.
What is God’s family?
Jesus answered this same question in Matthew 12:46-49 when he was told his mother and his brethren wanted to speak with him. He stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold, my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. See also Mark 3:32-35.
Jesus is thus saying that belonging to God’s family is not by association or by blood relationship or by confession alone or by religious faith. It is strictly by doing the will of his Father in heaven and that supersedes all things. How then do we know God’s will or what constitutes God’s will?
What is God’s will?
We know God’s will through Jesus by his word, deed and teaching. God’s family honours him through Jesus Christ. No one dishonors his father yet continues to receive his recognition but to forfeit it. God’s family receives Jesus Christ in his capacity as God the Father has ordained.
We read from John 1:11-12 that Jesus Christ came to his own and his own received him not but as many as received him, he gave them power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name which were born not of blood, nor of the flesh, nor of the will of men, but of God. God’s family therefore has spiritual birth, not by flesh and blood.
We further read in Matthew 12:46 that he that loves father or mother or son or daughter more than Jesus Christ is not worthy of him. The love for Christ must be first and above all and anything short of that is a disqualification. The love for Christ means abject obedience to his instructions above our desires, wants or needs. In effect we have to live and die for Jesus Christ leaving all things behind us.
God’s family culture
God’s family culture is embedded in his will. It includes peacemakers, Matthew 5:9; lovers of their enemies and praying for those who persecute them, Matthew 5:44-45; walking in the light, John 12:36; sowing good seed or character, Matthew13:38; being led by the spirit of God, Romans 8:14; and having a spirit of adoption and boldness not of fear or slavery, Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6.
God’s family acknowledges in the heart God as the only father and Jesus Christ as his only son the savior of the world, 2 Corinthians 6:18; exercise faith in all circumstances, Galatians 3:7; faithful to God, 1 Corinthians 1:9; redeemed under the law, Galatians 4:5-6; discipline, Hebrews 12:7-8; protect one another, Mark 3:21; live by God’s word and not by bread alone, Matthew 4:4; serve the only God of heaven, Matthew 6:24; believe in God’s name, John 1:12; fellowship and teach God’s truth, Acts 2:42.
God’s family is always clothed by God, Matthew 6:30; commands power by the blood of the resurrected Christ, Matthew 8:29; circumcised in heart, 1 Corinthians 7:18; bears the mark of Christ, Galatians 6:17; and do not preach contrary to God’s word, Galatians 1:9. God’s family is those that have an inheritance by God through Jesus Christ.
Security of God’s family
Jesus said in Matthew 19:29 that everyone who has forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for Jesus’ name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. This is an assurance of security for God’s family.
We read from1 Timothy 5:8 that if any does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his own family, he has denied his faith and is worse than an unbeliever. God will always provide for his family. God is inviting you today through Jesus Christ to join his family. Are you a member by introspection and if not, are ready to heed to his call?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I know this world is not my home but in heaven. I do not want to lose my identity as a citizen of heaven. I repent of my sins. Restore me through your cleansing blood so I shall be a member of God’s family. Amen!!
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