In God's Family

January 31, 2023

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Romans 8:14-17 NLT

The New Testament, compiled of accounts and letters from the people who knew Jesus best, consistently uses family imagery to explain our new relationship with God.

We are children of God. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1 NIV). When the lavish, extravagant love of God is given to us and fully received, we are noticeably different. We are called children of God—because that is who we truly are. We have His DNA and begin to exhibit His characteristics.

We are a family of believers: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10 NIV). We have a family, and as family members we have a mutual responsibility and privilege to care for each other and treat each other well.

We are members of God’s household: “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:19-20 NIV). It’s inconceivable, but when I accept Christ as Savior, I become a family member of God’s household just like the apostles and prophets. I have a tremendous family line and heritage!

We are all in this together: “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26 NIV). Every joy is my joy too. Every sorrow is my sorrow. Like a body, all is impacted when one part is sick and works together to heal that broken part. We are all in it together, and we are meant to help each other with true compassion.

A Christian without a church family is missing God’s plan. He adopted you into a family.

  • How are you benefitting from the family? How are you blessing others?