Who Is Your Family

While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And 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 12:46-50

Who do you consider to be your family?

Is it flesh and blood that determines who is in your family?  Or, is it as Jesus tells us?  Are believers our real family?  Do you make a distinction between your flesh and blood family and the family of faith?

Before you answer these questions, consider how Jesus saw the family.  In Jesus' world, those who do the will of the Father are real family.  And while He spoke much about caring for those in our household, Jesus made it abundantly clear that one's belief system was to be the determining factor in the depth and intimacy of all our relationships.  We find this truth to be foundational throughout Scripture in both the Old Testament and New Testament as God established sacred roles for husbands and wives in order that the family unit might be strong, healthy, and holy.

Yet, many who call the name of Jesus and claim to follow Him do not practice this truth.  There are families who consider their blood relationship to be paramount to any sin, allowing sin to flourish unchecked, unrepented, and undermining the family of God's design—simply because they are blood.  Some go so far as to even protect, defend, and hide the sinner and his sin to the harm of many.

My friend, those who are called Christian are blood—even more so—bought by the precious blood of Jesus.  Jesus begs us to call each other out for our sin, lest the world do it for us and our witness be ruined.

Ephesians 5:11 tells us to, "Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them."

In Galatians 2:11, Paul confronted Peter over his treatment of the Gentile believers.  Scripture says, "But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong."

Galatians 6:1 states, "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted."

And, above all, Scripture tells us that we must act at all times in love, which is never passive.  1 Corinthians 16:14 reminds us of this, "And do everything with love."

So I ask you once again.  Who is your family?

Goodnight, Runners.