Family. The word implies so much, can bring baggage and mourning or joy and peace. Jesus defines family as those "who do the will of My Father." Those who do Gods will. Don't check out, but instead pause & ask yourself, "what is Gods will?" Find a concordance and look up "Gods will." Search the scriptures and examine your heart: do you earnestly seek to do Gods will?
Do you [honestly strive to] forgive as Christ has forgiven you? Christ forgives you perpetually, constantly, always. Do you put "buts" on your forgiveness? Do you justify your unwillingness to wholly forgive?
Do you [honestly strive to] love & pray for your enemy? The one person (or many) who makes your skin crawl & your heart pump a little too quickly? The one you curse in your heart?
Do you [honestly strive to] bless those who persecute you?
Do you [honestly strive to] seek to make peace?
Do you [honestly strive to] "pray constantly, giving thanks in all circumstances" ? (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
I don't know about you, but I earnestly crave to be considered part of Jesus' family. I yearn for it. I challenge you. If you carry the name of Jesus Christ, examine your heart (1 Corinthians 11:28...) and search the scriptures. Then read the passage below, over and over and over again.
I challenge you as I challenge myself, to be vulnerable and risk for relationship. Risk. Risk the more-than-likely possibility to be hurt in order to have true relationships.
"To love is to be vulnerable. And it's worth it." -CS Lewis
Let the living word of God challenge you as you pursue a life after Jesus.
(Follow Pastor Mike's sermons. The Family Series is current : click here)