In the New Testament Christians are commonly referred to as “children of God”. We voluntarily chose to name Christ as our Lord and recognize God as our father. Galatians 3:26-27 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, (27) for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
We (Christians) are also referred to as “children of light” after making our decision decision to follow Jesus (the light of the world). John 8:12 – When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” We’ve been delivered from the reign and rule of sin in our lives (darkness) and are now under the reign and rule of King Jesus who sits on the throne of our hearts and minds. We are therefore referred to as “children of light”- Ephesians 5:6-11- Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. (7) Therefore do not be partners with them. (8) For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (9) (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) (10) and find out what pleases the Lord. (11) Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. Colossians 1:13-14 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, (14) in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. This “kingdom of the Son he loves,…” is also referred to as the “kingdom of light” (Col.1:12) Living as children of light means walking in love according to God’s truth. This concept is much different than the world’s idea of living a life of love accepting anything and everything as acceptable to God. We strive to live a life of love according to God’s definition of love. 2 John 1:4-6 – It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. (5) And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. (6) And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. I believe it’s safe to say that the majority of people fail to define living a life of love as “walking in obedience to his commands”. Instead most choose to believe that acceptance and tolerance of actions and lifestyles God defines as sinful is REALLY living a life of love. Unfortunately this is a false conclusion obviously conflicts with God’s definition of walking (living) in the truth & in love. John makes it clear that we simply cannot continue to “walk in darkness” (live a sinful life) while at the same time walking in fellowship with God. 1 John 1:5-7 – This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. (6) If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. (7) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. The challenge for us as Christians is to now live as “children of the day” rather than “children of the night” Romans 13:12-13 -The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. (13) Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.
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Mark 3:31-35 -Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. (32) A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” (33) “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. (34) Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! (35) Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
I’ve had family visiting recently including my mother and sister among them all. Living at my workplace on Angel Island all my co-workers knew who my family visitors were within the first day or two. I wonder what my fellow islanders reaction would be if they called out to me- “your mother and sister are up here waiting to catch the boat to Angel Island” and I were to holler back- “Who are my mother and sister?” They might be murmuring to themselves – “the man has lost his mind!”-not that hasn’t been said in the past! But now it’s confirmed! Perhaps the accusations were similar concerning Jesus as he was told “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” And he responded-“Who are my mother and my brothers?” Jesus makes a quiet, simple statement with a powerful lesson for those listening that day as well as those willing to listen today! There’s no need to wonder or speculate about the meaning of his statement of truth. He goes on to explain in his own words- “Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” He makes this statement as he looks at those seated around him listening intently with the good intention of applying what they learned to their lives. The message is clear! If you and I want to be a part of Jesus’ “inner circle”, considered a member of his family we’re challenged to consistently and intently look into God’s word and apply what we learn to our lives. James 1:23-25 -Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror (24) and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. (25) But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it–not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it–they will be blessed in what they do. If you’ve been a member of God’s family (the church) any time at all you’ve experienced the closeness and fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ that you simply don’t share with family members who are not yet followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When we commit ourselves to following the will of God we not only enjoy blessings and benefits of being a child of God and part of God’s family, we also share the common hope of spending eternity with God in heaven. 1 John 2:16-17- For everything in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–comes not from the Father but from the world. (17) The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. So, may we continually commit ourselves to “doing the will of God” enjoying the blessings of God’s family during our short time in this world and together look forward to living with God. By Mike Sherman |
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