THE FAMILY
Ephesians 3:14-15
One of the most emphasized metaphors about the Christian in the New Testament is that of the family. While the Old Testament sees God by his many title and functions – Creator, Judge, Lord, king etc, Jesus brings him closer to us in a relationship manner – Our Father. By bringing him to us as a Father, Jesus makes us to understand that beyond his titles and office, he is our Father. We belong to his family. We can call him daddy. Imagine the president of a nation. Everyone around him calls him “Your Excellency”. But when he gets home, all protocol is discarded. His wife calls him honey and the children cry out to daddy. Beloved, God is your Father. You are his precious daughter or son. He loves you. His loving arms are forever open for you to run to. Remember the prodigal son? When he came to himself, he returned home seeking for “Official relationship”, (to be made one of the servants). But his father preferred the family relationship. He called him his son and made a feast for him. Our God is a loving father. Even when he has to discipline us, he does so because he loves us. Hebrews 12:6.
Our faith is full of family imageries. For instance, we do not just join a church, we are ‘born again’ into it as unto a family, (John 3:3). When you became a believer, power is given unto you to become sons (daughters) of God (John 1:12). Fellow believers are called brothers and sisters because we belong to the same family. We are to pray to God addressing Him as our Father in heaven (Mathew 6:9).
What do all these teach us? One: You belong to the family of God. Feel free to relate with God as your father. He loves you. Love him; reverence him; obey him and do his bidding while striving not to displease him. Other believers are your brothers and sisters. Relate with them as such. No sane person will hate his family members and work for their hurt. In the same vein, seek the good of fellow believers as you would that of your biological family members. Love and defend their interest. Promote the good of the family. Let your brother’s success be paramount to you. When the family goes forward, you are part of the celebration.
Finally, please note this. We are part of God’s family, not merely subjects in his kingdom. He may be a Judge, King, Lord and many more. Those terms emphasize his power and authority. Yet he is your loving daddy. John 16:27 says “the Father himself loves you (me)”. He loves you. And if he loves us, the bible enjoins us to also love one another.
PRAYER: Dear Father, help me to see me as you see me and help me to relate to you as my loving daddy.
