The words serving as the title for this article are from a song entitled “God’s Family,” which was written by Lanny Wolfe. It reminds us of something very special about the Lord’s church – we are family. Wherever you may travel, you are with family if you can join the saints where they meet.
Paul’s encouragement of the young preacher Timothy included, “but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15 NKJV). The word “house” literally could be translated “family.” Paul told the saints at Rome:
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. (8:15-17)
The apostle of love similarly said, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God” (1 John 3:1). God’s children call one another “brother” and “sister” because we are all children of God. Paul referred to “all the brethren who are with me” at the start of the letter to the Galatian churches (1:2). He gave directions regarding those “overtaken in a trespass” by addressing Christians as “brethren” (6:1).
Members of God’s family are to display love for one another. Paul wrote, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love” (Romans 12:10a). The author of the epistle to the Hebrew brethren said, “Let brotherly love continue” (13:1).
We should cherish our times together. They serve as opportunities to build up our family (Hebrews 10:24-25). On our travels, we should always find the saints and join them. It can lift their spirits and certainly should lift ours.
