Family

For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. Matthew 12;50 (KJV)

And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. Luke 8:21 (KJV)

These verses and a passage in Mark 3 reflect Jesus speaking about family. The New Testament has many scriptures that speak of family. We have a natural family that we born into; one that God chooses and we do not. Yet, we have a spiritual family, that which the Bible refers to as the household of faith. We are born into this family when we are born-again.

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10 (KJV)

The word household in the Greek is oikeios, which means domestic relative, adherent, one’s own house. It shows belonging and denotes the community of the redeemed. In this family, God is our Father, Jesus is our Brother, and Holy Spirit is our constant Companion. We are called brothers and sisters in Christ. it is a spiritual family.

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, Ephesians 3:14-15 (KJV)

So, we have a spiritual family made up of the body of Christ that is on earth and in heaven. Wherever we are, we can find belonging, comfort, acceptance, love, a bond, home. We’re not alone or without support. We have a family and we have help. The word family in this passage is the Greek word patria, speaking of an ancestry or a lineage, a family, a tribe. We all descend from the same Father, or pater in Greek. We’re all His children.

Family can also be used in a wider sense to speak of a people, nationality or race. We are members of God’s household and we are citizen’s of His kingdom.

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; Ephesians 2:19 (KJV)

God has given us a family- His family. We have each other in the body of Christ, and we can connect and establish relationships. This gives us purpose and meaning. We need one another.

Wherever we are and whoever we are, if we are believers, we are all the family of God in Christ. God has given us a family to love us, mature us, train us, and develop us. The family of God helps us to be all God has called us to be. Family helps us fulfill our destiny in Christ. This family is a gift from God, so let’s love one another and give to one another to be the best family we can be.