TUESDAY, June 2, 2009                                                       READ: Ephesians 3: 1 – 19                                                                                                        

GOD AND FAMILY

MEMORIZE: For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named….”         Ephesians 3: 14, 15

Family, both in Heaven and on the earth, originated with God. It did not originate with the social engineers, who believe that it is their prerogative to determine what family should be and what purpose it should serve in society. Family was designed and brought into being by God to serve the divine purpose. God designed that each individual should come into the world through a father and mother and belong to a family – a nurturing group. God is concerned about family (cf. Psalm 68: 5, 6).

Here in the text, Ephesians 3: 1 – 19, we are able to see how Paul made the point that, family began with God. It is necessary for us to understand that when we speak of God, as a practice, we are referring to God, the Father. However, the Bible does speak of God, the Son and of God, the Holy Spirit as well. There are three uncreated persons in the Godhead. These three persons co-exist in one Godhead. These three persons, equal members of the uncreated Godhead, have one essential nature.

It was when the first person of the Godhead designated the second person, to be son, and He thus became father, that family began (cf. Psalm 2: 7). This was done with the redemption of mankind from sin’s bondage in view. This was planned from before the foundation of the world was laid (cf. 1 Peter 1: 20; Revelation 13: 8). In, or, at the time set, the Son came into the world of humanity as a human (cf. John 1: 14; Galatians 4: 4, 5). The world, from the time of Adam, was being prepared to receive Him as the Father’s Son (cf. Genesis 3: 15; Hebrews 2: 9; 10: 5 – 10). When God, the Son came into the world as Jesus of Nazareth, it was made known by the angels that, the promises, which God made through the prophets had been fulfilled (cf. Isaiah 7: 14; Matthew 1: 23; Luke 2: 10, 11; Micah 5: 2; Matthew 2: 1-23). He was there among the people, but was made manifest only to those whose hearts were expecting Him. When the time for Him to begin His ministry had come, He came forth declaring the arrival of the kingdom of God. Before long, He was required to identify Himself. He identified Himself as the Son of God, sent into the world of humanity as the Promised Messiah. Because of His claim and association with God, as His Father, He was thought to have been a blasphemer worthy of death. Believing that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed, God the Son, was a problem then and it is still a problem today. Jesus of Nazareth was rejected by the Jewish religious leaders, because of His claim to be the Son of God Their attitude towards Him made it difficult for the ordinary people to come to Him and believe in Him (cf. John 1: 11, 12). Those who believe in Jesus today, are given the privilege to enter into God’s family and household, over which He rules. Those who believe in Him will have the awesome privilege of dwelling in God’s house forevermore (cf. John 6: 37 – 44; Hebrews 2: 7 – 13; 3: 6). Have you accepted Jesus of Nazareth, whom God, the Father, has exalted to be both Christ and Lord, as the Son of God, God the Son (cf. Acts 2: 36; Romans 10: 9, 10; 1 John 5: 5)?

PRAY: LORD, God Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth, You brought family into being. You are Father over Your own family. Please teach me Your ways, LORD, and help me to understand the place of father in the family. I ask this in Jesus’ strong name. Amen