Family Ties
I love my family. We are a tight-knit group, always checking in on one another, praying together, full of love and laughter and grace. All the grace. They show me time and again the goodness and love of God through the way each one is there for me, to celebrate in success and sympathize in sorrow. They are committed to me, even as the years stretch us geographically. Relationally, we stay connected, rooted in God and our common memories growing up.
Family is a solid foundation, a light in the darkness and anchor in the storm. And we all have this family available, no matter how we were raised or what home environment we were born in. We have a spiritual family that we enter into when we give our lives to God. He longs for us like a good Father longs for His children, and goes to great lengths to bring us to Him. He sent His own Son Jesus to die on the cross and take the punishment for our sin so we could be reconciled to God (John 3:16-17)
We are grafted into God’s family when we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. By Him, we have sonship with our heavenly Father. Forever we are tied to the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” – Romans 8:15
God’s great gift to us through Jesus is that we are now His children. And as His children, we are heirs of the Kingdom with Christ (Romans 8:17). Through His Body at church, we have brothers and sisters who also care for us, pray with us, and make sure we are seen and loved.
Being part of God’s family gives us spiritual blessings that brighten our day, strength to endure on the hard days, and a confident assurance that all will be right one day when Jesus returns, while living in the abundance He offers today (John 10:10). Knowing we are loved by the God of this universe, wholly and completely, goes deep within our hearts, and we can extend that same love to those around us looking for a place to belong.
If you haven’t made your way into God’s family, what are you waiting for? His arms are open wide, ready to welcome you as His child.
Questions for Reflection:
- How has God been a good Father to me?
- Is there someone I can share the good news of God’s family with?
