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Romans 12:5 reminds us that we are closely linked to
other children of God. We may not recognize it or consistently act like
it, but all who come to God through faith in Christ are members of the
same family: "We, being many, are one body in Christ, and
individually members of one another."
It must hurt the Father to see His children at odds
with each other. It hurts me deeply when my children fight and I hear a
comment like, "She hates me!" It is painful to see them not
wanting to help each other. How much more it must make our Father's heart
ache to see the kind of "warfare" that goes on among believers.
As members of a spiritual family, we must put aside
our self-centeredness and look out for the interests of one another. Our
responsibilities include:
We are to love one another. The all-encompassing
obligation we have to other children of God, just as in our relationship
with God, is love (Rom. 13:8; 1 Cor. 13; 1 Th. 3:12; 4:9; 1 Pet. 3:8;
4:8; 1 Jn. 3:11,23; 4:7,11-12; 2 Jn. 1:5).
We are to honor one another through service (Rom.
12:10; Gal. 5:13; 1 Pet. 4:10).
We are to be generous and hospitable (Rom. 12:13; 1
Pet. 4:9).
We are to do all we can to build up one another
spiritually, not tear each other down (Rom. 14:13).
We are to teach each other (Rom. 15:14).
We are to be truthful (Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9).
We are to be kind and forgiving (Eph. 4:32; Col.
3:13).
We are to comfort one another in times of need (1
Th. 5:11).
We are to challenge each other to live holy lives
(Heb. 3:13; 10:24-25).
We are to pray for one another (Jas. 5:16).
Are we fulfilling our responsibilities
joyfully?
We've listed many obligations that we have to our
heavenly Father and to our brothers and sisters in Christ. As we read
such a list, we may tend to feel like a child who just received a list of
chores to do on Saturday morning before he can go play with his friends.
That's why we need to remind ourselves continually
of what will motivate us to do all these things with the right
attitude--a recognition that we are family. We are part of a spiritual
family headed by a loving Father who out of love for us has gone to great
lengths, even sacrificing His own Son Jesus Christ, to bring us into His
family.
As we think of all He has done for us and how much
He loves us, our hearts and lives cannot help but respond with the kind
of loving words and actions that will please Him and create a closer
family among those who also have been adopted by Him.
The prayer of the apostle Paul for the children of
God in Ephesus is also my prayer for you:
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so
that you may know Him better (Eph. 1:17 NIV).
Curtis
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