Love... Is Kinship
While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, His mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told Him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”
He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to His disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of My Father in Heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”
Matthew 12:46-50 (NIV)
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples– if you love one another.
John 13:34-35 (NIV)
I believe Christians have two kinds of kin:
Birth kin by blood (which I call “small b” blood): parent, siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews– which can be stretched by in-laws through marriage.*
Born-again kin by Blood (with a BIG B): brothers and sisters united in Christ– those here on Earth, and the loved ones who’ve passed: a heartfelt union for eternity!
NOTABLY, our “Big B” Blood connections stand in the face of worldly common sense… because nothing about God is “common”!
However, preferring the Big B group (above the “small b” group) is clearly hard, even though Jesus clearly redefined the ultimate meaning of family.
Jesus also said something surprising:
Christian love is how the world will know us… and He issued a serious warning:
If we don't love ALL our fellow Christians (even when we don’t agree with their rules), our Christian faith looks like a popped balloon: torn pieces of latex, fit for the trash.
Denominational “feuds” nullify our ambassadorial competence. If strangers see us hating each other, why would they want to join our family? Therein, we’re dissuading (not inviting) the lost sheep of Jesus from coming home.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
Since you know you were meant to rise and shine in the mission fields of entertainment, ALSO rise and shine above Christian sects, judgmentalism, and nasty public spats.
Be God’s peacemakers in all encounters.
Love… Is Kinship (Part 50)
* Our legal family includes married, blended, and adopted kin.
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re all called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re all called to be models of Jesus. We all have gifts, talents, and a commission to multiply them in the world for His glory.
P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend DAILY BIBLE READING.
WARNING: Don’t focus on your favorite verses, because taken out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!