Adopted into God’s family- that is the reality for anyone who believes in Jesus Christ. We are His beloved children, and He is our Heavenly Father. God gave us our immediate families as representations of His large family, which consists of anyone who follows the Messiah. If our Father commands us to treat other believers well, how much more should we treat our immediate fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters well (1 John 4:21 GW). Culture projects family as some sort of nuisance to individuals, but God says that “a brother is born for a time of adversity” (Proverbs 17:17 NIV). Similar to the body of Christ, family is one of God’s gifts meant to give each member intimate support, friendship, and love from one another.
Who is our Father God?
God designed family to imitate the family of Christ, but households not united in Jesus can not do this. Likewise, some earthly fathers do not represent God’s fatherhood well, but God is a perfect Father. He is “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6 NIV). “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way” (Psalm 25:9 NIV). By believing in His Son, we are adopted into His family. “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God” (John 1:12-13 NIV). God is a loving Father, tender and kind, yet just and holy. He calls anyone who accepts His Son His beloved child.
Imitating God
As God’s children, we are called to be imitators of Him- even to our parents and siblings. “Imitate God, since you are the children he loves” (Ephesians 5:1 GW). Imitating Christ means that we should… “Be merciful as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36 GW). Sometimes, our siblings do things that annoy us or hurt our feelings. Instead of retaliating when they sin against us, we can show them mercy and forgive them (even if they don’t ask) (Matthew 18:21-35 GW). We should also “live in peace with one another” (Mark 9:50 GW). “Blessed are those who make peace. They will be called God’s children” (Matthew 5:9 GW). We can establish peace by speaking gentle words (Proverbs 15:1 GW) and by acting selflessly the same way Jesus did (Hebrews 13:16 GW).
Lastly, be loving. “We understand what love is when we realize that Christ gave his life for us. That means we must give our lives for other believers” (1 John 3:16 GW). When you interact with your siblings or parents, remember how Jesus died so that we could have eternal life even when we didn’t deserve it. Ask God’s Spirit living inside you to help you show the same love to your family members, too. We have a good, good Father, and He can empower us to be merciful, peaceful, and loving with our immediate families. By imitating our Father, we display His great love to others!
Works Referenced
1.7 Million Stunning Free Images to Use Anywhere – Pixabay. pixabay.com/.
“BibleGateway.” BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages., www.biblegateway.com/.
