First, I really have to say, not bragging at all, but I have read the Bible multiple times, and often. I LOVE when I am reading, and God goes, “see it.” Something just pops out, takes hold, and speaks to me in ways I have never seen before.
But one time when I least expected it, although I guess I should have been expecting God to talk to me in a Bible College. (laughing) I was in Columbus, Ohio, spending some time with a pastor over there named Rod Parsley. I was standing in the World Harvest Bible College lobby when I heard, as clear as day, “My people are a family.” My response? “Yeah, yeah, I got it. Now I’m trying to pay attention here.” I heard it again. “My people are a family.” “Yeah, I know. I get it. I understand. Now let me get back to this.” One more time, “My people are a family.” That was it. “OK, I’m listening. What are you trying to tell me? I mean, really, God. I got it. I understand that if we are all children of yours, then we are all in your family.” What am I missing here?
Turns out I was missing a lot. Starting with the fact that many may or may not like. We are NOT all God’s children. We are all God’s creation. However, there is only one way to become a child of God. That is Jesus. That is the Spirit of Adoption. The Holy Spirit. If you are not adopted into the family of God, you are NOT His child.
“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!” Romans 8:13
Once you become adopted into the family, you then receive many more brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers. You are adopted into a very large family. The Family of God. Look what Jesus says here.
“Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”” Mark 10:28–31
We read this story in Luke. Jesus was teaching, and there were so many people there that no one else could get in.
“Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”” Luke 8:19-21
We are a family. Let’s look at a family. You sleep with, wake with, talk with, and spend time with your family. You share your day’s events and seek to help those in need of comfort, encouragement, or celebration together.
Think about this. If you have a need, you have a challenge in your life, you can always turn to your family. Your mom or dad can help you. Your older siblings may have already been through what you are facing. They can help you. When you are sad, they try to comfort you. When they are sad, you comfort them. If you are the oldest, YOU may be the one that others look up to.
Just like your earthly family, in God’s family, you have babies. Those who have just heard the truth and have allowed the truth to set them free. They know next to nothing and are in need of being fed, taught, ETC. You have teenagers. Those who are more knowledgeable, yet are not yet ready to go out on their own. They can certainly help in raising the young. Then you have the moms and dads. Those who have grown up, put away childish things, and are in a position to teach, encourage, love, and guide in the way both children and teenagers should go. These are the elders of the church. Of course, you have the earthly father, who is the head of the church. The Pastor. The one who should be guiding the rest of the family. The one who is responsible for communicating whatever God himself tells him. We should all remember that it really is a blessing.
Peter
