Safe in the Family

During the 92nd birthday party of Queen Elizabeth, police shut down roads and armed guards were conspicuously stationed all around Royal Albert Hall. The security concern was due not only to the presence of the queen, but also to the many other members of the royal family in attendance.

In contrast to the security needed by the royal family, the church of God is designed to be a place that calls all people into God’s family.

This does not mean that all people are already a part of God’s family, for then no one would be free to reject that status. Instead, they have the opportunity to become children of God.

The Bible describes this process as an adoption or a new birth. In both instances, it appears as though the decision is a personal one, between the individual and God. However, once the decision is made, the individual gains caring siblings who take responsibility for their family.

The apostle Paul showed that this was a commonly understood status on two different occasions: “I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also” (Romans 16:1, 2).

There was a standard of conduct in the church that went beyond superficial kindness. The mutual support extended to encouragement and approval in God-given missions: “When James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised” (Galatians 2:9).

Apply It:

Ask a member of your church about their biggest dream in serving God.

Dig Deeper:

Romans 8:14–16; 1 John 1:3, 7; Ephesians 1:4–6

Key Bible Texts

Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, (Ephesians 3:15 KJV)