Daily Devotional for Wednesday, January 8

The Spirit of God Unites Us in God

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ;' Galatians 3:26, 2

There is something about being with family that warms the soul. Sadly, these days it is difficult to find a family that acts like a family. Two income budgets, insane schedules and digital entertainment leaves little room for traditional time spent around the family table, let alone the family altar. I find myself longing for the days of my youth when there was food on the table, everyone had a chair, and everyone was waiting for their turn to tell about what was happening in their lives. Everyone was welcome and mattered because it was family.

I love Sunday mornings at the church I pastor. The sounds I hear are the sounds of a family reunion. In some cases, the people have not seen each other in a week, and they are catching up, talking, laughing, hearing and being heard. There is a unity and closeness that is not easily found outside the walls of the sanctuary. It is family, God's family, church family, coming together as one.

Some might wonder how such a diverse group as that of the average local church can have such a unified fellowship. Young, not so young, differing environments, influences, stories, yet, they come together as one unified family. I believe the truth contained in today's reading gives us insight into this mystery.

The family of God is of one blood and one Spirit. Having been born by grace through faith, each member is a sibling bearing the identity of Christ which is the indwelling Holy Spirit. Our unity is not owed to an exterior makeover but rather to an internal transformation accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit of God. These are the ties that bind.

A FINAL THOUGHT

While you cannot choose your earthly family, you are invited to choose your heavenly family by choosing Jesus as your Savior.

John Nations