Brothers – Fearless Living

Today’s promise is essential in building our spiritual esteem.

John 1:12 “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—”

Promise: God promises that knowing and accepting Jesus brings us into His family.

We all want to have value and worth. We want to belong. God placed us in families for a reason. He wanted us to have the love and support of a family. The same is true of our heavenly family. God wants us to know we have worth and purpose as His child. As believers we have the Holy Spirit within us and know Him. Romans 8:14 “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” He also claims us a his sons and daughters, those who will inherit from their Father God. Romans 8:17 makes this clear, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

What we know from this verse: Faith in Jesus brings privileges and rights, God has a family, those in God’s family believe and accept Jesus.

Lenten Reflections: Am I acting like a child of God or a child of this world? What privileges do I have as God’s child that I need to thank Him for today?

As a child of God we are a member of His family, He has a home and an inheritance for each of us. We have brothers and sisters in faith because of our shared bond in Jesus. His spirit lives in each of us. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I have a place and a purpose in God’s family.

Linda

Related verses: Matthew 5:9, John 1:13, Romans 8:14 and 8:17, Galatians 3:26. 1 John 3:1

Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I have brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus speaks of His family of faith and calls us His brothers, sisters and mother in Matthew 12:48-50. ” ⁴⁸But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”⁴⁹And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! ⁵⁰For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Jesus’ earthly family had come looking for Him and this was His reply. Those who believe in Jesus and strive to follow God’s Word are considered family by Jesus. What a privileged position this is! Not only are we linked to Jesus but we share a family position with all believers who know Him as Lord and seek to follow His ways.

This family bond is something very special. I have sisters in Christ that I see infrequently as our paths in life have taken different directions. It is amazing to me that when we meet it is as if we were never apart. That instant bond is there and we see love, trust and hope in being with each other. When a brother or sister leaves, it is always with the hope of seeing them again either here on earth or in heaven. The constancy of the bond of fellowship is always present and binds us in love.

Here are a few scriptures about brothers and sisters in Christ and how we are to work together: Romans 15:30 “I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf,” We are to pray and strive together to do God’s will. 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” We are to stand together firmly as we work for the Lord with hope. Philippians 4:1 “Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.” We have a shared love in Christ and a desire to stand firmly for Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:13 “As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.” We are to work together to do good in the name of Christ.

What a great comfort and encouragement it is that we have brothers and sisters in faith that we can stand with in our shared love for Christ and work together to accomplish His purposes.

Linda

Suggestion: Tell one of your brothers or sisters in Christ how you appreciate their prayers on your behalf or how you love standing and working with them or how much you love and appreciate them or how much it means to you to have someone to share in the good work of Jesus or all of the above! A kind work of appreciation brings glory to God as He works within us.