“Amazing things happen when the family of God bands together.” (Billy Graham)
What is it about your family (biological or
adopted) that connects you all together as a family unit? (I have my mother’s
ability to connect deeply with people emotionally on an intimate personal level.)
It could be you all have similar (or complimentary) physical features, mannerisms,
or personalities. Now think about the community of your church family (the
Family of God). What connects you together with them (besides attending the
same Church)?
Maybe you work with them in ministry of the
church, or have shared your life challenges together. The southern gospel music
of Bill and Gloria Gaither was a part of the landscape of my relationship with
God as I grew in my faith in my childhood church, Fellowship Baptist Church in
Columbus OH. The song, “Family of God” by Bill Gaither better expresses the
importance of a church family for the Christian.
Chorus
I'm so glad I'm a part
Of the family of God
I've been washed in the fountain
Cleansed by His blood
Joint heirs with Jesus
As we travel this sod
For I'm part of the family
The family of God
You will
notice we say brother
And sister 'round here
It's because we're a family
And these folks are so near
When one has a heartache
We all share the tears
And rejoice in each victory
In this family so dear
Chorus
From the
door of an orphanage
To the house of the King
No longer an outcast
A new song I sing
From rags unto riches
From the weak to the strong
I'm not worthy to be here
But, praise God, I belong
Chorus
Yes I'm part
of the family
The family of God
Unity is
not uniformity in the church. It is not something that we are to create. Rather,
it is a gift that God has given us that we must actively protect. Churches that
are unified in mission and vision tend to be most effective at accomplishing it.
Churches that allow the devil to create chaos by bringing conflict into the church
will become distracted and fractured.
As good as it is to have faithful church members;
it is wonderful to have church members who are concerned in seeing God’s work
done. They want to see God move in their lives, the church, and the lives of
others. Focusing on a godly heart is a biblically-guaranteed way to see
that happen.
Tuning in
to negative feelings and gossip is a biblically- guaranteed way to miss out on God’s
work by becoming an active part of the problem. If that’s not what you want,
how can you become a better church member in the Family of God? Here are
characteristics of such a person:
· A fully
devoted follower of Jesus Christ
· An
encouragement to the pastor(s) of the church
· Faithful in
worship, fellowship and serving in the church's ministries
· Faithful
witness of the gospel to anyone and everyone anywhere
· Generous
giver of tithes, offerings, time, and talents
“When we place our
faith in Christ, God becomes our Father. We become His children. Other
believers become our brothers and sisters, and the church becomes our spiritual
family. The family of God includes all believers in the past, the present, and
the future.” (Rick
Warren)[i]
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