God's Family

The church -- meaning the people, and family, of God -- have a few particular roles.

They are first to be disciples of Jesus. The concept of a disciple is similar to an apprentice. Apprentices learn from a master tradesman, for a particular trade by being with him, learning, and practicing, the skills of the trade. Jesus' disciples followed him, watched, and listened to him. And they were given assignments to go, and do, as he did. The church should be continuing this mission.

Second, they should be producing new disciples. This is done by proclaiming, discussing, and talking about the gospel, Jesus' message, in a reasonable, gentle, loving, way.

And in support of this presentation, the church should demonstrate God's character. Jesus did not just travel, and give sermons. He acted. He fed people. He healed people. He loved people. The life of the church needs to be a mixture of proclamation, service, and mercy. Many christian organizations argue for one over the other. In Jesus' life, they were one package. In God's family, they need to be the same.

The church needs to also mix deciding, and acting, in obedience to God's word, but also to listen, heed, and rely on God's Spirit. The Spirit is the leader, and the power source, for God's family. We must complete what we know. We must also allow him to work with us, adding his power to our actions. We must also listen as he directs.

Scripture describes the church using the human body as a metaphor. The body is a combination of many parts, formed into one unit, to complete his mission. God has enabled, and directs, different people in his family to do different things. We can see talents, and gifts, in people. So, God's people in God's family will do different things. But the different parts need to remember, they belong to the whole. They are part of the family. And when the world looks at the family, they need to see Jesus. Fulfilling his mission. One heart. One mind. One purpose.