We Are "Family" in the Church

After attending ladies class on Wednesday night and studying I Thessalonians 2:7,11; I was touched by the sincere words of Paul to the church of the Thessalonians. In verse seven, he speaks of their gentleness, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. And in verse 11, their exhortation and comfort, as a father does his own children. Upon meditating on those scriptures, I feel it speaks volumes to us as Christians in the church. When we look at how we treat our own biological family members, it is with love! Whenever we have a misunderstanding or disagreement in our homes we should and do look for ways to reconcile and forgive one another. Our biological families consist of natural relatives and possibly of “in-laws” and “step” family members, and as Christians we strive to keep harmony in the home. However, when it comes to our church “family” we tend not to have the same desire to settle our misunderstandings and accept our differences. If we treat one another as Paul’s example states in verses seven and 11, we would truly feel the love that God commands for us as His family. I John 4:21 and this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also! Our spiritual and emotional relationships in the Lord’s church should be as deep a commitment to one another as it is in our biological families. What a blessing – to have sisters and brothers that seek to build one another up in the hopes of an eternal home together! Let’s all strive to meet in heaven – our home sweet home!

--Beth Burmeister