PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 3:31-35
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:35)
Jesus loves all people, but he loves in a special way those who obey God’s will.
But who actually does this… we all fail to fulfill God’s will for our lives.
But Jesus is announcing good news, that by grace all people can be welcome.
God’s will is that those who repent, trust Jesus, and follow Him, will be accepted.
Look at the mixed bag of people with Jesus, what do they have in common?
They have all responded with humility and hope in Jesus.
And He trains them to help Him spread God’s grace around the world.
This is God’s will, that we admit our failure, trust His mercy, and help Jesus.
Those who do this have a special place in Jesus’ heart… but why?
Because this is His missionary family who will bless the rest of the world.
Those who know God’s grace will love all people and help them back to God.
As a Jesus follower, I am a member of Jesus’ family by grace!
As a Jesus follower, my calling is to obey God’s will and share His grace with others!
This is Jesus’ mission, and all who join Him have a special place in His heart.
PRAYER
Lord, it’s not problem for me to admit my sinful heart and my need for mercy. Thank You for wanting me to be a part of Your missionary family, that together we can bless our creation family.
I can relate to this. Our greatest joy while working overseas was finding ‘family’ among believers wherever we worked and traveled. There was a ‘bond’ that was deeper than friendship. Maybe it’s because we were separated for years at a time from direct contact or even indirect (no email, no skype) – just the letters from family and faithful supporters from home – that made Christian fellowship overseas deeper. But it was also the common cause – representing Jesus in a different culture. For sure ‘family’ had a bigger sense. We still are connected with some of our former ‘overseas’ family today.
I have in the past (and still now, but less so) found it difficult to show God’s grace, because I was unwilling to allow myself to experience it. I see too often people who do questionable things believing that grace absolves them of responsibility for outcomes. They feel or experience God’s grace themselves, but have difficulty showing it to people who are “other”.
I have had difficulty showing grace to people who are self righteous. The reason for this, was because I was content to feel self righteous myself
about not judging other people, whilst judging the judgers. My motivations were wrong, even though on the surface, they appear(ed) sincere.
I understand grace more and more each day, and the better I understand it, the better I am able to show it through my own actions. When my actions are motivated from a “good” place, but yield questionable results, the question is not necessarily about the actions, but about the motivations.
I believe that Jesus does not want us to tell people to go to Jesus to experience grace. He wants his grace to flow though us, not his judgement. Jesus was a great leader who lead from beside, and we are also called to do so.
Pretending that we know better than anyone else is missing the point of grace. We need to lead from beside like jesus did, by listening and asking questions and helping eachother grow into what God has intended for each one of us.
The family of God – is not by direct blood lines. His family is much greater. All who follow Him are members of the family of God – kids of the kingdom – members of God’s family. And may we all continue to receive all those who confess Christ be part of His family sharing His love and kindness and grace to all. All who profess His name belong to Him – as members of His family, being and integral part of that family.
I’m so glad I’m a part of the Family of God,
I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I’m part of the family,
The Family of God.
You will notice we say “brother and sister” ’round here,
It’s because we’re a family and these are so near;
When one has a heartache, we all share the tears,
And rejoice in each victory in this family so dear.
I’m so glad I’m a part of the Family of God,
I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I’m part of the family,
The Family of God.
From the door of an orphanage to the house of the King,
No longer an outcast, a new song I sing;
From rags unto riches, from the weak to the strong,
I’m not worthy to be here, but praise God I belong!
I’m so glad I’m a part of the Family of God,
I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I’m part of the family,
The Family of God