Being a Part of God’s Family
Article written by Michele A. Towers
The saying, “You can’t choose your family” couldn’t be more true. Think of that family member who only eats junk food and mocks you for being a “health nut”. Then there’s the one who can’t resist sparking religion and political conversations every Thanksgiving. Let’s be honest…at one time or another, you’ve probably looked at your family, looked at your own life, and then thought to yourself, “How in the world did I come from THESE people?
But in spite of our differences, we find a way to make it work with our family. We overlook their quirks. We forgive them, even when they are completely annoying. We look past their way of seeing the world that differs from ours. In spite of their personalities, interests, physical traits, and temperaments, somehow we find a way to always stay in relationship with them.
No matter what, we love our family. Why? Simply because they are family.
God has a family too, and when you decide to follow Jesus, you become a part of His family:
'But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who 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)
God has generously invited everyone to be a part of the household of God. His family is very vast and diverse. His family is not limited by a certain church building, a particular country, or even a specific denomination. That means that as we get to know our “Kingdom” family members, we will probably discover many differences, which can make things very interesting, to say the least!
God wants us to have the same approach that we use toward our natural families - He wants us to learn how to love each other, in spite of our differences.
I believe that too often, we fail to recognize our fellow believers as family. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of the world’s kingdom, allowing ideas such as skin color, social constructs and controversial issues to interfere with the connection we should have with each other.
Jesus made it very clear that as His family, we are not to fall into these traps that cause division and unrest. In fact, it was so important to Him that this was one of the last things that He prayed before heading to the cross to save us all:
'“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. (John 17:20-21)
What does a united family look like?
A unified family focuses on what they have in common, instead of those things they disagree about. This also applies to God’s Kingdom family. When His children come together, put all differences aside and focus on Him, Jesus’ prayer comes to life as a light for the world to see.
A family that is“one” does not have favorites, or consider some in the “family” to be more important than others. The Bible says:
'For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26-28, NKJV)
You - and every other believer of Christ - are a valuable part of God’s family. Seeing and appreciating the value in every brother and sister in Christ is the true meaning of family.
Finally, being a part of God’s family means offering forgiveness when it is needed. All of us will inevitably be hurt or offended. The Word of God tells us that as family, we are to be quick to forgive, just as God has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32). The bond of a family is strong. As long as we stick together as God’s family, we can overcome anything that comes against us. Not only that, but we show the world what a loving family truly looks like.
