Expanding Our Family

By: Lola Oni

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5

God created us to worship and serve Him, but He also instructs us to be in fellowship with other believers. Back in Genesis, the first man was alone, but not for long. In the Garden of Eden, we see an example of a family in fellowship with God. We have a biological family here on earth, but our eternal family is the body of Christ (the church). Until we leave this earth, we are called to "do life together" by being in fellowship with God and our brothers and sisters in Christ.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42

Jesus modelled this "doing life together" concept by handpicking twelve disciples. He didn't live in isolation, most of Jesus' time was spent with others. They were in close fellowship with each other, and everything they did was united in purpose. This included teaching, dining, traveling, and doing ministry together. Jesus consistently modeled grace and love when He interacted with other people. He wanted to bring people together, and He avoided conflict and division, even when He was falsely accused. As His followers, we must remember and imitate what He modeled. We aren't Jesus, but our lifestyle and our attitudes should mimic the examples He gave us.

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10

God's Word instructs us how to live. If we claim to be one of Christ's followers, we must constantly examine ourselves and align everything we do with God's instruction book. It won't always be easy, but we have a personal guide. God's Holy Spirit will help us, and the scriptures say God has enabled us to do all things that please Him (Philippians 4:13). God is calling us to be one in Him, and to foster peace and harmony everywhere we go. We must avoid distractions and silly disputes that cause division, realizing those things only come from the enemy. Instead of wasting time disagreeing, let's set our hearts on worshipping and honoring God. It's time for God's family to put aside our differences and stand united for Jesus Christ!

The kingdom we are part of is one big family, and we are unified by our faith in the one true God. But there is still plenty room for others to be adopted into our family! Be a disciple of Jesus and invite someone to join us!

Read: Genesis 2:19-25