This may be a bit of a tutorial. Sorry. It's
not an easy lesson. It's the way it must be told. It applies to many of us.
A covenantal family motif began in Israel
with Abraham's family.{1} God promised to promote and to exalt Abraham's family. Jesus took that family
theme and customized it in order to establish a family community of faith. Jesus
was conversing with a crowd of people when his mother Mary and his brothers
came to speak with him so his disciples drew his attention to his family, to
which Jesus made this startling statement. 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.”{2} He was seizing that moment to show that he had inaugurated a spiritual family
comprised of people who trust him.{3} Believers in Christ are his brothers and sisters.{4} I am confident we all agree that this spiritual family of faith is his Church.
If we are in the family, we are God's children, and we are Christ's brothers
and sisters and we should never abandon one another. The apostle Paul taught
there were several character qualities that must characterize the family of
God's children so they would cheerfully and serviceably live together.
These are the character qualities.
1. Humility - Greeks had no room for humility in a lifestyle that just like ours
today tries to grab the gusto, have it all, promotes self-assertiveness. Jesus
changed the meaning of the term with his own example. Humility has become
integral to our Christian character.
2. Gentleness - It’s sometimes translated as meekness because it is a placid easy
and mild character. It doesn't assert
personal importance or authority.
3. Longsuffering - It can mean steadfast endurance of hardship or misfortune but
it commonly refers to slowness to retaliate. God’s shows this patience with humans and
Christians should show it towards others.
4. Forbearance - This is loving tolerance or bearing with one another in love,
despite faults or weaknesses. This shows that Christ is living in you.
{1} Genesis 12:1-3; 17:1-16
{2} Matthew 12:46-50
{3} John 1:12-13
{4} Hebrews 10:24-25
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