Loving the Family of God

"Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honour the emperor.”1 Peter 2:17 (NIV)

Thoughts for Today
 Each of us is born into an earthly family. Within that family we are to love one another and care for one another's needs. But God has also blessed Christians with another family: the family of believers who follow Christ as Savior. Instructions for ways we are to love one another abound in the New Testament.

Sometimes we limit our concept of the family of believers to our local church body. But the Bible makes it clear that every Christian believer--everywhere--is a member of the family. All denominations. All cultures. All races. And we are to love one another.

Consider this …
 Loving one another means living at peace with one another. "Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!"
(James 5:9 NIV). "Live in harmony with one another" (Romans 12:16 NIV).

Within the local church, jealousy, competitiveness, and bitterness often replace the love God wants us to share. And we tend to be suspicious and critical of other Christian denominations and cultures who do things differently than we do.

God says we are family. All of us. We are his representatives here on earth. How well are we representing him? When unbelievers look at our family, do they see the love of Christ?

Prayer
Father, help me show more love to my Christian family. Forgive me for any unforgiveness or mistrust. Help me to love my brothers and sisters with the love of Christ. In his name.