PART OF THE FAMILY

Anita Clark – Pastor

Carbondale, Kansas

“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.

We, the believers, in Jesus Christ are part of the Family of God. The Greek word (pat-ree-ah’) used for the word “family” in the above text means, “ a group of families, or whole race or nation - kindred, or linage.” Those individuals who have experienced the New Birth by believing in Jesus Christ are born into this family of God.

Note that the above Scripture says, “Of Whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.” God is the Father of this new race and He has named each of His children. The word “named” in the Greek means, “assign an appellation, profess and call a name.” The word “appellation” means the action of giving a name to a person or thing.” Meditate upon what God has called those who through the new birth have come into His family. He calls them children of the Living God, His sons, saints, believers, His Love (and probably many other names you can think of). A child born into a family receives the family name.

Note that the Scripture says God’s family is “in heaven and earth.” Some of God’s children have already gone to dwell with Him. Their time on earth is over. They are in the presence of their Father right now. We are a heavenly people! Others are still remaining on the earth, waiting to be taken to heaven one of these days either by death or translation to live forever with our heavenly Father and the rest of the family.

How does God become our Father? Jesus said (John 16:27), “For the Father Himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.” John 3:1-16 tells us that to experience God as our Father, we must be born again. This new, spiritual birth places us into the family of God. Hebrews 2:9-10 tells us that Jesus Christ suffered death for every man, to bring many sons to glory.

Apostle Paul refers to God being our Father in many of his writings. Galatians 1;3-4, Paul speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ, “Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.” In Galatians 4:6, he says, “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying Abba Father.”

In Ephesians 6:23 Paul speaks of “Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” The word “brethren” has a wonderful meaning in the original Greek - It is the word “ad-el-fos” which means “of the womb - a brother literally or figuratively, of the family.” Paul repeatedly calls the believers, “Brethren.” There is a Divine Connection because of the new birth into the family of God. I John 3:1 states “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is.”

This kinship as family or brethren is seen in Paul’s example of our being the “body or church of the Lord Jesus Christ.” We are Spiritual parts of the same body. We have Spiritual DNA, so to speak, because of the blood of Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 12:12-14 tells us that the mystical body of Christ is made up of many members - believers in Jesus Christ. Vs. 24 -25 tells us “... God hath tempered the body together...That there be no schism (division) in the body.” The word “tempered” is a Greek word which means “to co-mingle, put together, or combine.” The Amplified Text, says “harmonized.” This is how close we are to be as members of the family of God - each part severally and distinct - each with his own place and function, and yet one in purpose.

II Corinthians 5;15 says, “...they which live should not thenceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them and rose again.” Our first allegiance is to the Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, but as members of the body of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Family of Almighty God, we should care for one another as a family. As I Corinthians 12:26 says, “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it, or one member be honoured; all the members rejoice with it.”

Isn’t it a precious thing to know that wherever in this world there are believers in Jesus Christ, they are part of our family. We enjoy praying and ministering to the members of our heavenly family.