The Household of Faith: Unity in the Family of God

Family was God’s idea. It is the perfect expression of the Heavenly Father’s heart. “God setteth the solitary in families.” (Psalm 68:6) From the beginning, He knew that it was not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). And yet in our sin-cursed world, even with the existence of physical families, there are so many abandoned, neglected, and lonely people.

One of the miracles of salvation is that through Christ, we are placed into a new family — the greatest family in the world! Scripture refers to it as “the whole family in heaven and earth” (Ephesians 3:15).

The Church — An Extension of the Father’s Family

The local New Testament church is to be an extension of the Father’s family in each community. Members of a local church are not merely part of a civic group or man-made organization — we are family! We have the same Father; we are brothers and sisters. We are going to spend eternity together!

You do not walk away from family. You may leave a business or forget an acquaintance, but family? They are forever. Such a conviction should prevent many believers from lightly leaving a church. Family members stay when times get hard.

Family members take care of one another. It is family! This is what Paul meant when he wrote, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).

Threats to the Family

One of the great stumbling blocks to the gospel and roadblocks to revival is the sectarian spirit that exists among many of God’s people. This is more than human nature. This is the devil’s nature — always to divide, to splinter, and to break up.

One week, I was preaching through the works of the flesh in Galatians 5, and the Holy Spirit dealt with me about this truth. How easy it is to identify another man’s flesh and how difficult it is to see mine! The most deceptive flesh is always my own. It hides, it excuses, it justifies. It parades in religious terms. But it is still flesh.

We love to preach against “adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance…” Wait!…Variance? What is that?

Variance

Variance is that which divides unnecessarily. It is the Bible word for cliques. One of Satan’s strategies is to get people to divide up into little groups and miss the big picture. Soon, those little groups are shooting at each other and trying to distinguish themselves as better than the other little groups. All the while, the true battle is being lost.

Variance is flesh, and variance is the way to defeat, not victory.

Harry Ironside called variance “quarrelsomeness,” and wrote, “There are many of us who would shrink from those first sins, but we are not very easy to get along with, we are dreadfully touchy, and this is as truly evidence of the old nature, as those other ‘works of the flesh’.” Later in the same list the Apostle Paul mentions “strife” and “seditions.” When flesh starts to fight, there is no end to it…unless it dies.

Cliques and Fraternities

We tell young people to beware of becoming part of a “clique.” But it is not just teenagers who are in such danger. We all tend to find those we are comfortable with and separate from all others. It happens throughout life. Everyone wants to belong!

On university campuses, this is seen in the existence of fraternities. By its definition, the word fraternity means “a group of people sharing a common profession or interest; the state or feeling of friendship or mutual support within a group.” It certainly sounds like something we all would enjoy! And yet, the very nature of a fraternity implies that only a few may participate. Others are excluded.

A fraternity spirit is a hindrance to the gospel. It serves as a roadblock instead of a bridge. The goal of a fraternity is belonging. The goal of a fellowship of believers is to reach. The first turns everything in, while the second turns everything out.

Fellowship Within the Family

Petty quarrels and needless competition are often put to death in the presence of the Father. Recently, as I studied Paul’s personal words about two other preachers, a wonderful truth struck me. He speaks in Philippians 2 about Timothy and Epaphroditus as co-laborers. But with both men, he refers to them as family. Timothy is referred to as “son” (v. 22), and Epaphroditus is referred to as “my brother” (v. 25).

When we see other Christian workers, what do we see? A competitor? God forbid! A co-worker? Much more! A fellow child of God.

We are not just fellow workers, we are not just friends; we are family. And the only goal every child should have is to please the Father.

Unity within the Local Church

To be sure, there are things that we should belong to, like a local church. And there are equally things we must divide from, like sin and false doctrine. But unnecessary divisions should be avoided, and God’s people should work together for the advancement of the gospel.

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all (Ephesians 4:2-6).

They say that blood is thicker than water, and so it is. Our fellowship is based on blood — the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. And our family is the family of God.

In the Perfect Son‘s family prayer for the rest of the children, He prayed, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:21).

Cultivating a Right Attitude at Church

Christ does not put us into a fraternity — He puts us into a family. Fraternities come and go, but family is for life. Believers are more than friends…we are family members.

You can help to strengthen the family of God right in your local church. All it takes is intention and the right attitude. Here are some suggestions for you to consider. Try one of these on Sunday and see what difference it makes, both in your heart and in the hearts of those around you.

Get out of your group of immediate friends and speak to others.

“He that hath friends must shew himself friendly” (Prov. 18:24). Rather than strengthen the religious cliques that hinder the fellowship of believers, strengthen the body of Christ. Speak to a new visitor. Sit by someone who needs encouragement. Shake hands with a person you do not normally speak to. God will use you…and He will use it in your life.

Go to be a blessing, not to get one.

People often leave churches and say, “I am just not getting fed.” While that may be true in some places, I fear that the greater problem is many people never learn to feed anyone else. Make it your mission to encourage and edify others. As you do, you will find a special blessing.

Refuse to be critical.

Avoid empty chatter both at the meeting and after. Major on the good and not the negatives. Do not tear down God’s servants or speak against the Lord’s people. Gossip and griping never honor God.

Talk with others about what the Lord did in your heart.

Speak a good word to someone before you even leave the meeting place. Talk to your family on the way home about the sermon and the work of God. Share the truth you received with others throughout the week. God will flow more freely through an open tributary than into a dead sea.

Minister gratitude to those who minister God’s Word to you.

A kind word goes a long way. Do not take for granted those who are used by the Lord to lead you forward for Christ. “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things” (Galatians 6:6). Communicate gratitude and appreciation to those who teach you God’s truth.

If Christ has forgiven your sins, you have been placed into the family of God. Thank God you are in it…and may God help all of us to act like it. Those outside the family are watching. One day, when we all get to heaven, there is going to be quite a family reunion at the Father’s house. I can’t wait for that day! But until then, let us be good family members to one another as we seek to serve our heavenly Father.

---

About Scott Pauley

Related: Why the Church Assembles

Why the Church Assembles