Family of God

As the Apostle wrote 1 Peter to those suffering, persecuted Christians, he reassured them with details concerning the family of God upon which they, as members, could lean. These Scriptures still give us comfort and strength as we look to this family of God for courage, strength, and support. In 1 Peter 2, the Bible says the family of God and individual Christians are the following:
"Newborn babes, living stones of spiritual house, priests, an elect race, of royal blood, a people for God’s own possession, a people of God, pilgrims, and a brotherhood."
This is the most glorious family on earth. We are the house or household of God (Ephesians 2:19-20; 1 Timothy 3:14-15; Hebrews 10:21; 1 Peter 4:17).
Romans 8:16-17 also describes the family structure of the New Testament church, “The
Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him.” Therefore God is the Father and Jesus Christ is the Son (and the head of the church with all authority from God, Ephesians 1:22-23) and we are the brothers of Christ, joint-heirs with our Elder Brother Jesus. That which Jesus has inherited in heaven is awaiting all Christians. We can continue this family analogy,
-Born into this family John 3:3-5; 1 Peter 1:23
-Each is distinct and different but beneficial part (cf. 1 Corinthians 12)
-Bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:1-2)
-We are not (should not) be part of another family cf. John 8:44
-We have an inheritance from our Father (Colossians 1:12)

If there has ever been a boy proud of his mother on Mother’s Day, if there has ever been a mother proud of her son’s grades, if there has ever been a daughter proud of her father’s occupation, if there has ever been a brother proud of his sister’s accomplishments, if there has ever been a father proud of his newborn son who would carry on the family name, then we, realizing that we are a part of the great and glorious family of Christ, ought to take great pride in our family and our family name (2 Corinthians 10:17, 1 Peter 4:17). Certain results come from taking pride in our family name, the name Christian. First, we should take enough pride in our family to tell others about it (Mark 16:15). Furthermore, would we not tell our friends if our fathers or mothers were a Senator or the President? But our Father is God! Second, the chief characteristic, the defining attribute, the distinguishing mark of our family should be love (John 13:35). We need to treat each other as family members OUGHT to be treated, 1 Timothy 5:2, “Rebuke not an elder, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brethren: the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.” Third, our pride in God’s family should affect enough allegiance within us to defend our glorious name through our mighty spiritual weapons. We should want to stand up for Jesus as we so readily sing, and we all should be willing to contend for the faith (Jude 3). Finally, we must live for this family, doing that which is our duty, giving our due diligence to God and one another.

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Christmas and Family

Our family has never celebrated Christmas as the birthday of Jesus. We are not accustomed to reading Luke 2 or decorating with nativity scenes. Even though Christmas began as a religious (and somewhat pagan) holiday, my family has never observed it as such. Married now, my wife and I still do not celebrate Christmas as any sort of religious holiday (though we pray regularly that all who do celebrate the birth of Christ would also see his sinless life, matchless teachings, saving death, triumphant resurrection, and glorious church). We do however love this time of the year. The weather is usually cold, the lights are shining brightly, and generally people are, well, jollier. We are not much into Santa, but my wife loves her Christmas tree, snowmen, snowflakes, and festive decorations. But, above all else, the one thing that makes this time of year special to me is family. So many people are able to get a day or two (or week or two) off for the holidays. This time off allows for much needed family time. As this blog develops, you might notice that I believe in families. I believe that family decay leads to moral and national decay (read “what is currently happening in the US”). Though both my mom and my wife’s parents conveniently live close to each other, they do not live close to all their children. This time of year gives us a great opportunity to spend time renewing and further developing relationships with these wonderful people who we love very much. It is very unfortunate that Christmas has become more of a capitalistic holiday than anything religious or family-oriented. My hope for this Christmas season, as I am enjoying time with my family, is that families (no matter what gifts are under the tree) will nurture and sustain relationships and rekindle proper values. It is this “back to the basics” thinking that families need to be strong, to strengthen the church, and to strengthen our nation.

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