Let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10
Preservation of the family gets a lot of attention these days. We read much about dysfunctional families, where members' roles have become confused. Family relationships become strained and sometimes break down.
God is also concerned about preserving the family -- His family of believers. God sacrificed His only Son so that, by His sacrifice and glorious resurrection, we all could be part of His family. While "there is one body and one Spirit" (Ephesians 4:4), there is not always unity in the family of believers. Because of our sinful nature, family members bicker, criticize, belittle, complain, and blame. And the devil loves it.
God's command and plan for family unity is clear. "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2). Only with God's help can we swallow our pride and make peace when we would rather make a point. Only with the patience of our Lord can we wait for a fellow family member to grow spiritually. Only with the indwelling of the Spirit can we show forbearance with others, as God does with us, and make allowances for the mistakes of those who are "heirs" with us of eternal life. God's family is united in Christ and is called to function together in love.
PRAYER: Father of all, enable Your family of believers to live in peace and accomplish Your will. Amen.
(Devotions from "The Abundant Life" copyright 1998, CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time e-mailing of this link to a friend. For information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)
Today's Bible Readings: Lamentations 1-2 Hebrews 12
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