WE'RE ALL PART OF A LARGER FAMILY
Todos de Nosotros Somos Parte de la Familia Grande
by
Mary Hunt Webb
Posted Wednesday, February 28, 2018
As Christians, all of us are connected to each other through Christ. [Photographer: Abdullah Usame Deniz. Photo courtesy of Stockvault.net.]
It was late Sunday afternoon when we arrived in the county seat near the small town where my husband's father grew up and where extended family members still resided. Our cousin, the son of our deceased uncle, was just about to leave when we entered to pay our respects.
Since he knew we had driven a long way from another state that day, he greeted us warmly and said, "I'm glad you came."
Just behind us, a woman walked in. After chatting with me a few minutes and learning of my kinship to the deceased, she declared, "Oh! We're related! My husband is the brother of your husband's cousin's wife."
It took me a minute to sort that out, but I appreciated her attempt to establish a connection between us.
Something similar is true of believers. As Christians, we're all related to each other, no matter how distantly. When we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we became children of God. John 1:12-13 assures us that, "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13) children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." (New International Version)
As a result, we are all related through God's adoption of us. Consequently, we have an obligation to be kind to others, especially to our fellow Christians, even if we do not get along with them personally. Galatians 6:10 advises us, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (NIV) Through Christ, we have many relatives that we have yet to meet. However, that lack of personal contact does not diminish our relationship with them. We can still pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ each day. If we don't meet them while we are here on earth, we will do so in Heaven one day. What a gathering that will be!
Prayer: Lord, I thank You that we are all part of Your family. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
BiBLE VERSES FOR THiS POSTiNG
Galatians 6:10 — Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (New International Version)
Gálatas 6:10 — Así que, según tengamos oportunidad, hagamos bien a todos, y mayormente a los de la familia de la fe. (Reina-Valera 1960)
John 1:12-13 — 12) Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13) children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. (New International Version)
Juan 1:12-13 — 12) Mas a todos los que le recibieron, a los que creen en su nombre, les dio potestad de ser hechos hijos de Dios; 13) los cuales no son engendrados de sangre, ni de voluntad de carne, ni de voluntad de varón, sino de Dios. (Reina-Valera 1960)
Thought for the day: Through Christ, I have many relatives that I have yet to meet. [Photographer: Joey Crowley. Photo courtesy of Stockvault.net.]
