Based on Romans 16:21-24 (New King James Version)
“Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you. I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord. Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
One of the greatest issues that I have seen in many congregations through the years is the problem of how we treat one another. For example, I have visited many churches in different places, and in most cases, I have gone by completely unnoticed (not that I am looking for attention). But that happens to many people. The only care that could be observed is between family and a circle of friends, but there is no room for anyone else. In other cases, and it is also a common problem, is that when a certain relationship with brethren is formed, that they treat each other like superficial friends, like a social club, instead of treating each other as they should. And the other problem related to that is that there is a cold, superficial, and passing relationship, which only exists for having a good time, as opposed to worrying for each other’s needs or problems. In the end, and any way you look at it, people don’t live what the Lord teaches us through His Word.
First, the church should not be a cold place, especially for those that are visiting. We are supposed to show God’s love to those that are looking for Him. And of course, we should not pay attention to a person because of what they have or don’t have. Because the people that show that do have some wealth do receive some attention, but the person of humble or normal appearance hardly gets any attention. Could you imagine if Christ would have been concerned only with His carnal family and circle of friends from His youth? What would have happened if the Lord would have only shared the truth and died only for a small group of people? Blessed be the God of the universe that He sent His only begotten Son to die for the whole world, and not just for a few people, leaving the door wide open so that all could come to Him! And more over, when we come to Him, He draws close to us and embraces us, looking to have an intimate relationship with every person. We should do the same as well, without exceptions.
The Lord left very clear who His real family was as it was written in the following passage: “And it was told Him by some, who said, ‘Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You.’ But He answered and said to them, ‘My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.’” Luke 8:20-21. So then, our carnal family should not necessarily be our closest relationship or priority, especially if they are not interested in the things of God. Even while being here on earth, the Lord had to deal with the unbelief of His carnal family, for it is written: “After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. His brothers therefore said to Him, ‘Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.’ For even His brothers did not believe in Him.” John 7:1-5. You don’t have to forget your family, but if they don’t want to listen, you should pray for them, but also, you should unite more with those people that do look for God, the family in the faith.
The other issue is that as Christians we are not a club of friends to just have a good time, or to keep ourselves entertained. The problem with that is that folks are just looking for a good time, just like the world does. Second, relationships like that are cut short when there is a problem or when someone doesn’t get what they want, thereby making the basis of the relationship only an interest rather than the Spirit of God and the faith we have in common. We should have much more than that, and in many places in the Scriptures, we see examples of the type of relationships that existed before within the body of Christ. For example: “Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.’” Acts 14:19-22. This passage teaches us that there was more than just a superficial friendship, that even more so, there was a being present (physically) in the moment of need, and there was also such dedication and prayer for Paul that God acted and raised him from a dying state, so he could continue his mission.
We also see the precious example of the faithful that were present at the feet of the cross of the Lord, not leaving Him alone in His death. And we see that there was such a bond of love between the Lord and John, that He even entrusted His carnal mother to him, something He was not able to do with his carnal brethren, for it is written: “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.” John 19:25-27. We saw John’s faithfulness, that He kept his promise to the Lord until Mary died, or at least, until he was imprisoned.
In summary, when Christ lives in the heart of people, we are more than friends, more than carnal family, we are made family through the Holy Spirit where no differences should exist, neither because of money or social status, or because of race, or anything else. Because we were also taught this: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.” 1 John 4:7-12. Love consists of having a close and intimate relationship, worrying for each other’s needs, keeping each other company, interceding in prayer for each other, and even laying down our lives if it were necessary, just as the Lord did for us all.
So then, are you part of God’s family? And if you are, how are you treating your true family? Lord bless! John