Sons Of God
OPENING PRAYER:
I am thankful today for Your holy Word and know that it has the power to change my life. Help me to be attentive to these words of truth and help me to love You with all my heart, my mind, and my strength. Help me to love each person in the body of Christ as well. In Christ’s name I pray, Amen
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:26-29 NIV
REFLECT:
Do you remember the worship song about oneness in Christ we used to sing so often? The words were “We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord. We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord. And we pray that all unity may one day be restored, and they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” There was nothing about race, position, gender, age, or denomination. The only criteria are what you have believed and accepted about Christ, God’s Son, and how you love others as a result. The world is most interested in how believers treat one another. Scripture makes it clear that those who have accepted Christ are family- His family. Brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters of God in the family of believers. We are heirs in the kingdom of God.
APPLY:
Several weeks ago, I attended the funeral of a faithful sister at Pathway Church. As I sat down with my wife and a good friend, I watched the family of this dear woman enter the sanctuary. Many of these family members we know well and have watched their faith over the years live out its powerful work. The memorial service was a celebration of a life lived for Christ and there was extraordinary joy in a life so well lived even amid our grieving. As we shared with family and friends after the service, the reality of the power of the body of believers filled my heart and mind. I truly grieved with them in their loss, as I grieved when I lost my own brother, mother, and father over the years. “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Romans 12:15 (NIV). That is the body of Christ in action. Do you have that same oneness? Have you become my brother or sister by being baptized as a believer in Christ? Do you seek to know and greet each “family member” every weekend as you attend church services? If not, reach out. Make an introduction and get to know your family.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Dear Father, we thank you for providing a way for us to be Your children. We ask that you help us to live lives that would bring others into the family. Open my eyes to the blessing of being in Your family and shape my attitude and speech today to reflect that blessing. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.