Scripture:
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.”
(Ephesians 2:19-20)
Devotion:
God through Christ paid the penalty for our sin and forgave us, we have been reconciled – brought near to him. We are new society, a NEW FAMILY. Being united with Christ means that we are to treat one another as family members. Even as Christ in the Godhead is a relational and compassionate Person, so also is the Church a highly loving and relational community.
We are his family. God’s many sons and daughters make up his divine family (Ephesians 3:14-15). Our God is also a “Father of the fatherless, a defender of the widows.” (Psalm 68:5). What a wonderful family even to those without a “natural” family. To those who have lost their beloved husband or wife, God places them in his family. One might be an orphan or a refugee from a war-torn nation, yet in Christ, he/she can find a safe and loving community in God’s family. For example, many Ukrainian refugees have actually found Christians who have taken them into their homes and accepted them as family.
This truly reflects the image of God.
Galatians 3:28 says, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ.” This affirms the common baptism and unity of all Christians in Jesus Christ. In this way, Christians have a unity and a freedom that transcends all the oppressions and barriers that society and culture construct. Paul refers to Abraham, the common father in faith, of Jews and Christians alike.
We treat and value our African, or Indian or China brothers and sisters as we would treat our own Singaporean brethren.
Throughout the New Testament, God commands us to mutual care in the local church. The epistles, in particular, tells us what it means to be brothers and sisters and teach us “how we ought to behave in the household of God” (1 Timothy 3:15). With their various “one another” commands, these letters remind us that life in God’s family will reorient our allegiance – not just on Sundays, but every hour of every day. For the rest of this week, our devotions will examine the various “one another” passages in Scriptures.
Within COR congregations we have members who come from various walks of life sitting side by side worshipping our Heavenly Father together. We don’t segregate based on social status or positions in life.
Reflection:
If you were born into a broken family or if you never knew your parents, rest in the knowledge that you have a Father who loves you dearly as well as millions of brothers and sisters in Christ. Every Christian you know and every Christian in the world is part of the family of God —including you!
As part of the family of God, you can freely go to the throne of God and ask for His help (Hebrews 4:16). God delights in hearing your prayers and He loves to answer prayers in accordance with His Will. Our Father is a good, good Father and He always knows what is best for us.
Prayer:
Let’s pray that COR will always be a welcoming, loving family that truly reflects the image of God, our Heavenly Father. Amen.