The Family Of God

When one thinks of God’s family, what images appear in your head?  Do you think of angels in Heaven?  Do you think of Jesus the Christ?  Do you know of any others who would fall into that list?  Let us examine some Scriptures to determine just exactly who are the family of God.

            As we start, it is good to recall that all of humanity is created in the image of God.  “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:  and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Gen. 1:26-27).  So, from the perspective of creation, all of humanity owes it’s existence to God, and is thus connected to God.

            Next, let us discuss the relationship that exists between angels and God.  The Engish word angel is derived from a tranliteration of the Greek word, angelos.  It simply means messenger.  So, an angel is a messenger of God.  These messengers have a very special relationship with God.  In the book of Job, it is written, “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them” (Job 1:6).  This reference to “the sons of God” is widely accepted as being a designation of angels.  This is probably due to the fact, that like human beings, angels were created by God.  Paul wrote, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers:  all things were created by him, and for him:  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Col. 1:16-17).  A second reference to these “sons of God” is also written in the book of Job.  “Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD” (Job 2:1).  This time, like before, is widely accepted to be a discussion of angels with God.  So, angels are part of God’s family.

            The most obvious part of the family of God is Jesus Christ.  There is none other mentioned in Scripture that is identified as being “the only begotten of the Father” (John 1:14).  Luke wrote, “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest:  and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:  And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.  Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?  And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee:  therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:31-35).  There are also other references to Jesus being the Son of God.  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17).  “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ.  This is the true God, and eternal life” (1 John 5:20).  So, without doubt, Jesus is part of the family of God.

            Then, there is a final group that is designated as part of God’s family.  This time it might not be who you think.  Every single Christian is a part of the family of God.  Yes, even with all of our faults and failures, Christians are blessed to be God’s children.  When writing to the church in the first century, John indicated, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:  therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be:  but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:1-2).  Likewise, Paul wrote, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Rom. 8:14-15).  Then there is the statement that Jesus made, “…My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it” (Luke 8:21).  So, Christians are in the family of God.

            You can make sure that you are a part of God’s family.  By obeying the Gospel of Christ, Jesus will add you to His church” (Acts 2:37-47).  Thus, you will be a child of God.  If you remain faithful, then you will eventually be with your Father in Heaven.
~ Corey Barnette