One elder's Perspective on the Family of God...


When His disciples asked Jesus how to pray remember He said to address God as
OUR Father.  People with a common father are siblings in a family.  
(Mat 6:9 NRSV)  "Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your 
name.
(Luke 11:2 NRSV)

It is clear from other scriptures I list here that the Church is the earthly part of God's
family.

(2 Cor 6:17 NRSV)  Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says 
the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you,
(2 Cor 6:18 NRSV)  and I will be your father, and you shall be my sons and 
daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

(Gal 6:10 NRSV)  So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the 
good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.

(Eph 1:2 NRSV)  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus 
Christ.

(Eph 2:19 NRSV)  So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are 
citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God,

(Eph 3:14 NRSV)  For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
(Eph 3:15 NRSV)  from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.

(Phil 1:2 NRSV)  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus 
Christ.

(Col 1:2 NRSV)  To the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in 
Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

(1 John 3:1 NRSV)  See what love the Father has given us, that we should be
called children of God; and that is what we are.

1 Pet 2:17  Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the
emperor.


Presumably members of a family act and feel about each other in special ways.
It is unfortunate that some people grow up without seeing the love a close-knit
family demonstrates, so it is harder for them to understand.  There is give and take,
but more give than take in families that live by God's design.  Many couples in our
congregation have been together for multiple decades.  Most of them will say 
it is NOT a 50/50 relationship.  There is greater joy in giving than in taking.

 A family is a group of people who by the grace of God have more than average
contact with each other, so they have more than opportunity to vent their desire to
help and be kind to others.  Family members are closer than neighbors. (See Luke
10:27-37).  We have people here who are easily recognized as family members.
When they are asked if they would help with something they say "I'd love to".

John 13:34  I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.  Just as
I have loved you, you also should love one another.  (He GAVE His life for us.)
John 13:35  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love
for one another."

Even in the assembly worship, It would seem that it should not be what one gets
out of it but what one contributes to it.


Your brother,
Melbert Hamilton