How can we prioritize God's family in our daily lives? A Family Beyond Blood “Someone told Him, ‘Look, Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to You.’ ” (Matthew 12:47) Jesus’ response in the next verses is clear and literal: “Stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He 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.’” (Matthew 12:49-50) In one decisive moment, Jesus re-orders earthly loyalties, declaring that obedience to the Father forms a new, eternal household. Understanding Our New Family Identity • Adoption: “To all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12) • Inheritance: “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.” (Romans 8:16-17) • Citizenship: “You are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household.” (Ephesians 2:19) When we grasp that God’s family is real, permanent, and purchased by Christ’s blood, prioritizing it becomes an act of faithfulness, not a mere suggestion. Practical Ways to Prioritize God’s Family Daily Cultivate deep relationships • Schedule regular, purposeful time with believers—meals, calls, visits. • Share testimonies and burdens (James 5:16). Transparency builds trust. Serve one another • Identify gifts (1 Peter 4:10-11) and deploy them—teaching, hospitality, mercy. • Meet tangible needs: meals for the sick, childcare, job networking (Galatians 6:2). Gather faithfully • Make corporate worship non-negotiable (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Arrive early, linger late—relationships form in the margins. Pray for the family • Keep a written list of church members; pray through a few names daily (Ephesians 6:18). • Text or call to say, “I prayed for you today,” strengthening unseen bonds. Share resources • Budget with generosity in mind—support missionaries, benevolence funds (Acts 4:34-35). • Offer skills: car repairs, tutoring, résumé help—love works through service. Practice spiritual hospitality • Open your home for Bible study or fellowship (Romans 12:13). • Welcome new believers quickly, demonstrating that they belong. Guard unity • Refuse gossip; go directly to a brother or sister when issues arise (Matthew 18:15). • Celebrate diversity of age, ethnicity, and gifting as God’s design (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Common Obstacles and How to Overcome Them • Busy schedules: Integrate family life and church life—invite believers into errands, sports, meals. • Individualism: Remember we were saved into a body, not isolated faith (1 Corinthians 12:13). • Consumer mindset: Shift from “What do I get?” to “How do I give?”—a mark of maturity (Acts 20:35). • Relational hurt: Extend forgiveness as Christ forgave you (Colossians 3:13). Healing restores priority. Living the Words of Jesus Today Each morning, ask, “How can I do the will of my Father today for the good of His household?” Every choice—calendar, wallet, words, hospitality—either elevates God’s family or sidelines it. By taking Jesus’ literal declaration in Matthew 12:47-50 to heart, we mirror His priorities, display His love, and experience the richness of belonging to the household that will last forever. |
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