Who Is My Family?

by Len Blanchard

The question of “Who is my family?” is such an important one for today’s Christian. Naturally, we think first of our biological family. My wife Lynda and I have celebrated 40 years of marriage together. Wow! Where has the time gone? (Better yet, how has she managed to survive?) We have three wonderful daughters: Tonya, Rebecca, and Candace. We have two great sons-in-law: Jason and Daniel. And, we also have five magnificent grandchildren: Tyler, Emmi, Jacob, Gabi, and Sarah. They bring out the “woo-hoo” in me. Most important, all of them are saved. They are active in the service of the Lord. Nothing—and I mean nothing—pleases me more.

When contemplating this article, I asked myself what I could possibly write about the family that hasn’t been written. I knew I wanted to write from the heart, and I kept returning to one particular thought. When I consider family these days, I consider Christ’s words in Matthew 12:46-50, when he described His disciples, His listeners, His followers as His family.

I am aware that many commentators believe this passage has to do with Christ’s earthly family interrupting His earthly ministry. But, I also believe Christ was telling the world that His disciples are fully equal in their relationship to Him.

One of the great purposes in Christianity is for us to take on fully the life of Christ—Christ in me and me in Christ. If that is true, and I believe it is, then the family of God takes on a new and thrilling dimension for every believer. When Christ is in total control of our lives, He points to all other believers through us and says, “All of these are my mom and dad and brother and sister, etc.” My point is that a bond should develop between believers, and through Christ, that bond is as strong as the bonds with our natural family members (and sometimes even stronger).

Christians are all brothers and sisters in Christ. The love and kinship defy description, and Christian relationships develop that you cherish and adore for a lifetime. We expect this of a natural relationship. Why should we find it strange when we develop deep and loving relationships with God’s family? I encourage you to allow the richness of genuine love to flourish within you. You may just find the love of Christ growing to completion.

With that in mind, after asking ourselves, “Who Is My Family?” we should endeavor to bring more and more people into the family of God.

About the Writer: Len and Lynda Blanchard are planting a Free Will Baptist church in Oxford, Alabama, a joint project between Home Missions and the Alabama State Association. This is the second church plant for the Blanchards. Learn more at www.homemissions.net.