The Family of God

There are a variety of people that we interact with daily; we place these people in categories like strangers, acquaintances, friends, family, etc.  It is easy to let these categories affect how we treat them.  But if they are in Christ they are our family no matter how we classify them.  And they should be treated accordingly.   If they are not Christians we are to be a light to them showing through our actions the fruit of the spirit. God has blessed our lives with these people, Christian or not, and He has told us to love everyone as our selves. It is easy to forget this command and ignore the call to love, show patience, and forgive all because of our selfishness and sinfulness.

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”  ~Mark 12:29-32

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”     ~Galatians 5:22-23

People who are not Christians may not be a part of God’s family now but could be in the future.  We don’t know who God is calling to Himself or when.  The rudeness and short tempers of Christians could dissuade or distract these people from His call.  Whether they are family now is not our concern— we must think as if all people are in the family of God and all deserve love, patience, and forgiveness from us as we have received from Christ.  He didn’t know us, we weren’t apart of His family yet and He still died for us, and gave His life up for us trading our sinfulness for His righteousness. 

As God’s people, we should be sharing God’s light and treating everyone as our own family.  Having the mindset that everyone is a part our family may help us learn how to love ALL people not just those we know even the strangers around us.  Love brings peace, understanding, and great wisdom to those who listen to the Spirit daily.

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” ~Colossian 4:5-6

Honoring Parents

God has given His people commandments to follow that are straight forward and come with no exceptions. But some Christians like to think that certain commands are no longer relevant to them.  One such command this is “honor your father and mother.”  It is taken as something that is said just to children, but as grownups they don’t need to follow it.  But nowhere in the verse does it mention that God is speaking to children. All people, children and adults, are commanded to honor their fathers and mothers.

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” ~Exodus 20:12  

Another ‘but’ a Christian might add to the commandment would be that they had horrible parents.  Despite how parents treat their children as they grow up, despite their flaws, bad parenting skills, or the inflicted pain, God still commands His people to honor their parents.  He is quite aware of the downfalls of the parents and He still chose them to be the parents. He did this for His purpose, not the parents’ or the child’s. Christians are commanded to do this not suggested or asked, and so it is expected that the command be obeyed (as well as the rest of them).  A Christian’s role is not to focus on what their parents did or still do wrong but to honor, respect, and love their parents ALWAYS. 

As adults this can be hard because we have our own opinions, and our own ways.  Adults can see and understand their parents in ways they couldn’t as a child.  But it is what God has told us to do, and not our place to pass judgment upon them; that is God’s.  Also by obeying and trusting in the Lord in all that we do concerning our parents we may be a light to those around us.  One day we may have children of our own and be a light to them.  All good things come to those who obey the Lord.

“Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.” ~Proverbs 23:22