Families and what they mean to us...

Families and what they mean to us…

Life with its entire agenda and its challenges; I guess, all would agree in some measure that we are conditioned by society to end up as a model citizen. That would be the hope of all our parents, hopeful that we would achieve and finish better than the “Jones”. Who then would not be proud of their own? As parents some are harder on their children than others, but outside of just plain simple abuse, the reason for it would be to get the most one could from their child. We push them so that they achieve. And to say that there is no selfish attachment as we persistently coach would not be utterly true. They are a reflection of us. The better they do, the better we feel and around the school fields one can always notice the rooster (father) by the way he cocks his head while cheering from the sideline.

Every sane parent holds a special place in their hearts for their children. Italians, Portuguese and many other ethnic groups outshine much of the western civilization when it comes to family bonds. It would not be a strange thing to see the entire family living on the same property; from Nona (grandmother) to grandchildren and everything between is never frowned upon; for some families the highest of all objectives when tackling life, family first  

With that said, what of our new family as Christians; if saved do we not all belong to our Father because of the finished work of Calvary? We have all been baptized into one body. Meaning this; that at salvation we all become members of God’s family. We are part of the universal body of Christ. However we are not left there, once our spirits have been quicken we must look for a local church where we can take up our place as a functioning member. We are commanded not only to receive but also to supply; “For the body is not one member, but many.” (1Corinthians 12:14) – In other words we need one another, but more than that we are family and to think that we do not need each another is a delusional thought; would we ever by choice cut off our hands or feet?

“If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body. And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members each one of them in the body, even as it pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now they are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary:” (1Corinthians 12:15-22)

Why do so many of us not feel the same way when it comes to God’s family as we feel about our own children? Again we lack understanding! Does a parent throw his child to the wolves if they are in disagreement? Never! And yet some churches choose to discipline where necessary and rightly so, but as soon as there is a difference in doctrine then they are no longer welcome. Why? They feel threaten, but my question is this, would they throw their own children to the wolves?

We all have a lot to give and account for, this is why the Apostle James is very clear when he says “let not many of you become teachers”.

Some hold to the message that if you are truly a child of God, that you may lose your salvation; what would it take to disown you own child? For me I could not even entertain that thought and my son is adopted.

What chance would your son have if you kept telling him, that if he didn’t behave or if he disagreed with your reasoning you would disown him?

Our Saviour has this to say about the subject; “Be ye free from the love of money; content with such things as ye have: for himself hath said, I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee. So that with good courage we say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear: What shall man do unto me? (Hebrews 13:5-6)    

Signing off

Tyrone