The Family of God

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,” Ephesians 2:19 ESV

As my husband and I sat down to lunch at a local restaurant yesterday with the amazing group of people we had the blessing of running with earlier in the morning to kick off Independence Day, I couldn’t help but smile as we bowed our heads together and thanked the Lord for the miles we shared, the food we were about to eat, and the friendships He created. We weren’t related by blood, but these fellow believers and their children were our family nonetheless. To the outside world, it would even have appeared that we were related because of the love and laughter coming from our table. I don’t know about you, but I’m truly grateful for being a part of the family of believers. 

And you know, when it comes to family, one thing is certain. Everyone has one. But if you’re a disciple of Christ, you’re blessed with two families. The first one (your family of origin) is the one you’re born into. You had no control or choice in this matter. Your family of origin may have been very nurturing, or it may have very dysfunctional. Either way, your family of origin is fixed and can’t be changed. However, when you’re born again through Jesus Christ, you inherit a second family – the family of God, and become “fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” Do you just love that or what? 

So no matter what your family of origin might be like, rejoice that they aren’t your only family my friend. If you’re a believer, you have family everywhere! Which means you have the biggest support system you could ever need. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us all into your family. Help us to love one another in such a way that others would know we are your disciples and would seek to become a part of this family that uplifts, encourages, and delights in the company of its fellow members. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!