In His Family

Christianity is more than the hope of going to Heaven when I die; it is a way of life. I believe that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), and I worship God as the Creator, King, and Father. There is, however, a difference between worshiping God and being reborn through Christ into His family.

I see the difference between worshiping God and being a child of God as the difference between doing and being. Worship is something to do; it is a good thing to remind myself of who He is and what part He plays in my life. A person who has his needs met on a daily basis can sometimes forget that someone is providing for them. Study His word; pray daily in thanks for the many gifts He provides. Try not to sin and to ask for forgiveness when I do sin. These things are as they should be, and they reflect the influence of Jesus on my life. These things I do, but they are steps to take, a commitment to my responsibilities as a believer. 

I need something else to overcome the limitations I see in my life. I want an inner attachment that comes from my heart, not just from my mind. My mother was the strength of our family when I was young, and I show her deference and respect even more now than I did then. A child represents their parents whether they choose to follow their rules or not. I intend to accept God as the Father in my life in as many ways as my limited mind and life span will allow. I have raised two children, so I have some idea of what a parent expects and what they sacrifice for those under their care. The life and death of Jesus Christ as a sacrifice show how far the Father is willing to go to create the relationship I seek. Now it is up to me to yield to His will and accept my place in the Family.

Being adopted into His family through faith in Christ and accepting Him as my savior is not enough. I need to do my part. I need to live a life that represents my Father and helps the rest of my family. I must live a life of love for my Father and what He stands for. Love is the driving force of His commitment to me, and love should be the center of my commitment to Him. I cannot build our relationship out of fear of damnation but out of a desire to be with Him.

My life has been filled with emotional ups and downs. This, of course, is normal, but it also makes it tough for me to remember my place. I can sometimes forget that the love I have for my Father should manifest in how I treat my siblings. Praying for forgiveness for an act that I knew was wrong just won't work. I need to think before I act, and my actions should reflect my position as a son of God.