Who Is My Family?
Each year as we join together with our family and friends I am reminded of a time when Art Linkletter was being interviewed. Art Linkletter said that he always had his entire family with him, and not even one person absent, every year for Thanksgiving. The interviewer commented on how remarkable that was and asked Art how he did it. Art replied, “Well, that’s the day I have the reading of the will.” Well, we all know the pleasure and sometimes the pressure of family. But our love for them somehow makes it enjoyable or maybe I should say endurable. But why is it sometimes like that?
Much can be learned by Jesus and what he said about true family. Matt 12:46-50 While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.” But He answered and said to the one who told Him,“Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said,“Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”
Now, Jesus was not denying his earthly family nor was he being unkind to them. He just understood the priority of where they belonged in His life. While he was on the cross he looked down at John and said: “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. (John 19:26-27) Jesus loved and cared for His family as we can see in this verse. But he knew the priority or the reason for which he was on the earth was to do the Father’s will above all else. Do we understand that is true of us also as Christians? He also knew that his True and Real Family would be those who did likewise, because that is exactly what He said.
Many of those in Jesus’ family did not believe, just like many of us have family members who do not believe. How did Jesus handle this problem. Jesus did not follow after His earthly family. He instead followed the will of His father. Many of us have unsaved loved ones. We too will not win them to Christ by following after them. Many times our words will not be able to persuade them either. But instead, just like Jesus, it will be our actions that will have the most influence on them. We must also do the will of the Father in heaven to be a part of the most important family-God’s family. Luke records it this way in the 8th Chapter verse 21 – But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.” We must not just hear and quote the word of God to persuade them. WE MUST DO IT! Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Cor 5:17)
Many times it is when family forsakes us either because we have become light and they still walk in darkness or because of death that we really begin to see who our true family is. It is at those times that God also takes us up closer than ever before. And it is at those times our priorities come in line with His Word. Ps 27:10 – When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the LORD will take care of me.
I am so glad that I am a part of the Family of God. I am so glad I can gather together with my brothers and sisters in Christ each week and tell them how much I love them.
The Bible goes on to tell us that we will know we have passed from death unto life by our love for the brethren (speaking of those Christian brothers and sisters who put God’s will first in their lives).
1 Peter 4:8 – And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Aren’t you glad that you are a part of the True Family of God! – Pastor Robert Sapp
Revival Light Church
Monon Center
1235 Central Park East Drive
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 984-4862 (317) 984-4862