We're Family!

March 12, 2012 Monday Message:

Imagine this scenario with 2 different endings:

You go to the garage behind your house, and find the door open and your car missing. You call the police and report the vehicle stolen. Later your phone rings, it’s the police, and your vehicle has been recovered.

Ending #1:
It turns out that they’ve arrested a young man who lives a couple blocks away. He stole your car, and he’s now in jail. He’ll be charged with Grand Theft Auto tomorrow morning. You hope you never see that rotten kid again.

Ending #2:
It turns out that your own 15-year-old son “borrowed” the car for a joyride. He’s been given a ticket for underage driving, but you can come to the police station and pick up both your son and your car. When you get home, you have “the talk,” suspend some privileges, and explain that money to pay the ticket will come out of his savings.

But he’s still your son, he still has a room in your house, and you still love him unconditionally. Your love goes beyond any one incident, any slip-up of character, any shortcoming in good judgment. After all, he’s family!

When we become Christians, we become children of God, adopted into the Holy family. As members of that family, we have certain rights, privileges and expectations. Jesus has us covered every time we mess up. Our errant character and poor judgment are not only forgiven – but the record of our sin is wiped clean. We can still come home; there is still a place for us in the eternal kingdom. Jesus gives us fine garments of white to wear in the presence of God. That future is our inheritance.

Jesus has your back! After all, we’re all family!


Norton Lawellin