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"The
Family of God"
Each
of us is a member of the human race, part of the
“family of Man.” This family is a
“dysfunctional“ family – one has only to listen
to the news or look around for evidence of this.
It is a dysfunctional family because of the
introduction of sin into the world, but nevertheless
it is a family.
As
a member of the family of man or “mankind,” we may
rightly refer to God as “Creator” or “God”-
for so He is!
However, we cannot refer to Him as our
“Father” – this right is reserved only
for the “children” of God.
Consider
the words of the apostle John in speaking of Jesus:
“He was in the world and the world was made through
Him, yet the world did not know Him.
He came to His own and His own did not receive
Him.
But as many as received Him,
“TO THEM” He gave the “RIGHT TO BECOME”
children of God, to those who believe in His
name” (John 1:10-12).
Think
about what it is that constitutes a family – what it
is that links us to our earthly father or mother,
brother or sister.
We are related by
blood; they are our
“blood
relatives.”
Likewise,
the family of God is also “related
by blood” – the precious blood of Jesus
– the SON
of God.
And
so, it is only when we are related to
Jesus through His blood, that God becomes our
“Father”.
We
come in contact with the cleansing blood of Christ
when we believe in Christ (Acts 16:31), repent
of our sin and begin to follow Christ (Acts 17:30), confess
Christ (Romans 10:9-10) and are baptized in the
name of Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins
(Acts 2:38).
When we obey the gospel in this manner, the
blood of Jesus cleanses us from our sin (Acts 22:16)
and we are born of the water and of the Spirit into
the family of God (John 3:3,5).
Then as Christians, "if we walk in the
light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with
one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son
cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).
It
is when we obey the gospel that we are “born” into
this relationship – related to God and to one
another through the blood of His Son.
NOW we may call Him our
“Father”.
And as His children, we are no longer under
condemnation because of sin but have passed from death
unto life, being made heirs to an eternal kingdom
(Romans 8:16-17).
Although
our earthly family relationships are precious, they
are also temporary and will terminate at death. But
God’s family will survive beyond the grave - to
remain forever.
Are
you a member of God’s Family?
Can you call Him “Father” today?God
bless you.
David A. Sargent
/ M. Eddlemon
Church of Christ at Creekwood
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
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