Adopted into the Family of God



Posted: Sunday, July 19, 2009

by Dawn Shivers
Unique Chic Jewelry

I had a revelation the other day. One of those moments that I love (and hate sometimes). The thought was simple and had crossed my mind many times, but never really sunk into my understanding and taken root. It came to me while I was thinking about moving closer to my brother who lives in Florida. You see, recently God has been telling me that he wants me to stay in Hopkinsville, through his word and my prayer time. Here= small-town, boring, nothing-to-offer, USA. I had been asking His will for my life as there is a chance one day my job might move to Big City,Exciting, Lots-to-Offer, USA. I have been so aggravated that this was the answer that God was sending my way.

But then God reminded me of my church family. Of the man, so much like my brother. The woman, who was a sister and friend that I had prayed longingly for. The woman, who was more like an older sister who was protective. Of my pastor, a man who was a good spiritual father. And a few others. Then he whispered, you have been adopted into the family of God. Now THIS family is even more important than your blood family. They are your family in the Spirit- joined by Christ. And sure in that moment I told him that any church body was my family, my brothers and sisters in Christ. But God showed me how I was making this relationship (the family of God) something trite rather than the priceless appointment and position in which God had placed me. We have been inducted into a REAL family. We are to put the needs of these brothers, sisters, fathers, and mothers even before those of our blood family. Are you doing this? If my blood brother needed anything, I would make sure I was able to help him. Iwould drop everything to go to him if he needed me. I would die for him. Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:2 to pour ourselves out for one another. Ephesians 4:4 says,

You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. 5 You have one master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.

This has given me a new perspective on my Church. How many others just go to church, make small talk but do not consider that God has inducted us into a REAL family and we are to treat them in this way? This is how God meant for us to walk. Being united in Christ , we share a stronger bond than blood. We share the understanding of Jesus blood. In our blood families, we find many times that they do not understand what we are living for. They don't understand our zeal, our passion for Jesus. For even Christ said,

49-53 I've come to start a fire on this earthhow I wish it were blazing right now! I've come to change everything, turn everything rightside uphow I long for it to be finished! Do you think I came to smooth things over and make everything nice? Not so. I've come to disrupt and confront! From now on, when you find five in a house, it will be

Three against two,

and two against three;

Father against son,

and son against father;

Mother against daughter,

and daughter against mother;

Mother-in-law against bride,

and bride against mother-in-law.

We have been ushered into a new family. God has given us a new family based on our relationship with him. Your church family is like your immediate family. You may even have some siblings that are even closer than anyone else. But each of these members in Gods family, you should treasure. You should pour yourself out for them. Ask God what this means for you. This was a revelation for me. It changed my perspective, and I will begin treating this family so different.

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