CHURCH AS THE FAMILY OF GOD. Part 1

Past week you were to ask yourself a question: “Is my church living in the reality of being the family of God?” and also you were to ask yourself “what is my role in the Family?” What are your answers?
Over the next few weeks I will share with you a few Biblical paradigms for the Church as a Family.
First: Members take care of one another. Isn’t it true that you take care of your natural blood? And they take care of you? If your mother, father, brother, sister son, daughter has a problem, do you say “sorry, don’t bother me?” Dysfunctional family doesn’t, it’s selfish, individualistic and profoundly independent. It’s characterized by detachment and unconnectedness. Members do not take time to know one another.
Apostle James addresses such situation: “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:14-17)
Apostle Paul considered caring for one’s family the first test of faith. “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8)
The real faith expresses itself in acts of love toward our brothers and sisters in Christ. The action James was talking about is not prayer or Bible study, but supplying physical needs. Consider these words of Paul. “..must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need” (Ephesians 4:28)
Protestant “work ethic” is not about selfish pursuit of “American dream” but is work to meet needs of others.
Do you care for your church brothers and sisters physically, financially, spiritually, emotionally? The first 6 chapters of Acts show us a picture of the model Christian church sculpted by Christ through disciples. They saw themselves as extended family. Today, when you great each other, say “Brother” and “sister” and mean it. “Carry each other burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2)