The Family I've Never Met

Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the

 brothers, even though they are strangers to you. 3 John 5

I grew up with a large extended family--especially on my maternal grandmother's side. She had several siblings, all of whom had several kids, who had several kids, and so on. It was hard for me to keep track of who was related to who, and how. Several were only names, and MAYBE photos in a scrapbook.

NOT my family - but could be!

But still, they were family. According to grandma, no matter how far back the connection, or how many "removeds" there might be, we're all cousins. (So, when I tell you that Evan Cohen - who played the neighbors' little boy on the VERY short-lived TV series "The Ropers" - is my cousin, you should take it with maybe even LESS than a grain of salt)

Wanna guess how much help and/or encouragement I've given these members of my family, especially the "cousins" I've either never or rarely met? Not much. And I'd guess you are the same about those relatives you may never have met, or perhaps don't even know exist.

But, since I came to Christ over a decade ago, my family has grown exponentially. I, along with every other Christian on this planet, are members of the family of God. We are ALL brothers and sisters (and that's even closer than "cousins").

And the folks the apostle John wrote to in his third letter have taught me a bit about how I'm supposed to be  treating my family--even the ones I don't know.

I should be faithful to do things for them.

Gaius, a friend of the apostle John, was doing just this for people he scarcely knew. Yes, they were his brothers. All in the same family - parts of the same Body, in fact. And we must be at least as concerned with our siblings in Christ as we are for our biological family.

In my case, MORE concerned.

Heavenly Father, thank You for letting me into Your family. Help me to live out what John is commanding. I want to love and serve Your people - my brothers and sisters - as You would desire. Help me to be faithful to do for my brothers and sisters in Christ - whether I know them or not. In Jesus' name. Amen
 


Traveling Rough Roads with God's Strength



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