Relevant Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16, 43-48; 6:1-18; 7:7-11; 10:16-33; John 13:31-35; 15:12-17; Romans 12:9-13; Ephesians 2:11-22; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12; 1 John 3:11-24; 4:7-21; 2 John 4-11; 1 Peter 1:13-25; 4:7-11
We live in a culture in which “us versus them” has become a badge of honor. Brothers and sisters, it should never be so among us. As believers in Jesus, we have one Father and are members of one family. Our Father is fair and caring. He knows our needs. He watches over us and rewards us. He is always accessible. As members of his Oikos, his household, we are called to obey him and act like his kids. In good times and bad, we worship and trust our Father.
As children of one Father, we are siblings. Love for one another, expressed in mutual care, is of primary importance. Thus, we are commanded to love one another. We do this through humble, hidden service to one another. We support and protect one another through honest actions, carried out in ways that follow Christ's commands. We love one another sacrificially: the same way that Jesus loves us.
By loving one another as siblings, we show to the world that we are redeemed followers of Jesus and prove to ourselves that we are dwelling in God. We are family, and our family duties are grounded in and shaped by that family because we remain loyal to our Father’s Oikos. We hold family commitment as more important than personal preference. We place our siblings’ needs above our own.
As our Lord Jesus commanded, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35 ESV).
Note: Some of the principles about the church as a family are summarized from When the Church was a Family, by Joseph H. Hellerman (2009). I recommend this book to those who would like to learn more about what it means to be a church that lives out the strong group family taught in the New Testament.
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