It’s a Family Affair

“So now you gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.” (Ephesians 2:19, New Living Translation).

This is the key Bible verse for our “Come and See” devotional today.

Jesus Christ, during His earthly ministry, struggled to explain to varying audience that God is their father. This lack of understanding was one reason why Apostle Paul was tasked to minister to non-Jews [i.e The Gentiles]; after all, the older disciples including Peter believed incorrectly that salvation was for the Jews only. In the words of Apostle Paul: “it was soon evident that God had entrusted me with the same message to the non-Jews as Peter had been preaching to the Jews. Recognizing that my calling had been given by God, James, Peter, and John—the pillars of the church—shook hands with me and Barnabas, assigning us to a ministry to the non-Jews, while they continued to be responsible for reaching out to the Jews.” (Galatians 2:7-8, The Message).

Satan will do everything he can to make us believe that we are slaves, because slaves are not free and are not part of their master’s family. When a son offends his father, he can obtain forgiveness because he is one of the family but a slave will always live in fear of the son because that son inherits his father’s possessions including his slaves. In contrast, God’s love has made provision for us to be accepted as His children and so we are members of God’s family.“ Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.”  (Galatians 4:7, New Living Translation)

This family is big enough to accommodate all and sundry. Jesus said: “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out”.  As the parable of the prodigal son indicates in Luke 15:11-32, the son is always welcome at home no matter what may happen. The Bible states: ’though you have scorned my laws from earliest time, yet you may still return to me,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘Come and I will forgive you.’” (Malachi 3:7, Living Bible). No matter how far we go away from God, we can return because the door will always be opened for us to come in especially before the second coming of Jesus Christ.

We must remember to come back to God, Who is committed to correct our imperfections. Thus: “So let us come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive his mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need.” (Hebrews 4:16, Living Bible). As God is the Head of the family, our requests are granted at His discretion: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

An outsider cannot meddle in family matters! We must not let the devil rob us of the benefits reserved for God’s family members, who have accepted Jesus Christ as Saviour. The devil lost his place in our family’s house through pride, as the Bible relates: “…the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world…” (Revelation 12:9, New King James Version). Never allow Satan; a stranger to the Household of God to condemn you as He is not your judge.

Let us pray: “Father, may I receive your Grace to take my rightful position in the family of God,” in Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.

This message was brought to you by Evangelical Ministries International (EMI). We know this message has been a blessing to you. Please share your testimonies with us by visiting our website www.evangelicalministries.org or contact us on info@evangelicalministries.org. God bless you!