Welcome to the Family! - Enjoying the Journey
Recently I have had the privilege of saying to several new believers: “Welcome to the family!” The joy of seeing others come into the family of God is second only to the joy of knowing you are in the family yourself. There are only two ways a person can come into a family: through birth and through adoption. Scripture uses both to picture our salvation and Christians are recipients of both realities! We have experienced the miracle of the new birth (John 3:5-8), and the loving choice of God in adoption (Ephesians 1:5). What a God, and what a family!
One of the most profound revelations of the New Testament is the relationship we now have as members of the family of God! Think of it – God is our Father (John 20:17), the Lord Jesus Christ is our elder Brother (Hebrews 2:11-13), and the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of adoption living in each of us (Romans 8:15-17). If you have trusted the Lord Jesus as your Savior you have been accepted into the greatest family in the world.
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12).
This relationship is both Godward and manward. Those who come to Christ in faith and call God their Father are now considered brothers and sisters in the same family! The One who created family has made it so that all can enter into His eternal family. He truly does set the solitary in families (Psalm 68:6).
“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).
If you have been born again, let me say: Welcome to the family! Each family is unique with roles, responsibilities, and rewards for every member. God’s family is the best.
A few observations:
- Believers are brother and sisters – but we are not twins. (Romans 12:4-5) Every member of a family is uniquely gifted…and some are more unique than others! The measurement of a person’s life is not if they are exactly like us, but rather if they are like the Lord Jesus. We all need improvement in this area.
- We are children of God but that does not mean we are all near relatives. Occasionally geography, and sometimes circumstances, brings distance to family members. However, family is family. That does not change. We have not all met together yet and we will not always agree, but it is good for believers to remember that we have the same Father. We all come to the same throne to find grace in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
- The family of God is bigger than you may imagine. Some Christians are going to be surprised when they get to heaven and discover that God’s work was much bigger than their own little circle. Family members may disagree, but it must grieve the heart of our Father when He sees His children attacking and abusing one another. We should weep for, and rejoice with, one another – like family (1 Corinthians 12:26).
- The family of the perfectly Tri-une God should be marked by our Father’s love and His Son’s character. Children should reflect the nature of their Father! God help us to get our eyes off of each other and back on who He is…and who we are to be. Sometimes family members can be obstinate. Others can be divisive. Occasionally we all have been wayward. Pray for God’s people and pray for God’s glory (Ephesians 3:14-21).
- Soon we will all gather at the Father’s house. (John 14:1-4) Did you know there is a big family reunion being planned at our Father’s house? A big supper is being planned and this reunion is going to last forever! I hope to see you there. I look forward to spending eternity with you in the presence of our mighty Father. Keep your eyes on the end.
Dear brothers and sisters, we are not enemies. We are not competitors. We are not just friends. We are family, and soon we will be together with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit at the throne. Let’s live like it, and treat one another in light of the truth that shortly we will meet in our eternal home.
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:1-2).
