Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

6 December 2024

Reading From Acts 20:1-3, Romans 1-3

“I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— ¹² that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. ¹³ I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,^[d] that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.” –Romans 1:11-13

     We need one another.  With all of the tools for communication that we have at our disposal, we are more distant and disconnected than ever before.  The very nature of our Triune God, Three in One, displays in glorious splendor both perfect community and unity.  We are invited by the Spirit to join that community as partakers of the divine nature by grace through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ. Those who are born again are part of the eternal family of God, the Temple in which He dwells by His Spirit.

     Living in community while in our present reality is rough.  People are imperfect and therefore there is no perfect church or community of any kind.  Sometimes people are annoying, grouchy, impatient, judgmental, cruel, and the list goes on and on.  We can either use those aggravating qualities to justify not joining in community or we can acknowledge our own imperfections and extend the same grace and mercy to others that has been extended to us in Jesus.  If we choose to get defensive and combative and reject community, then we forfeit all the blessings of being together. 

     Healthy encouragement is sorely lacking in today’s world.  Edification can be found among genuine brothers and sisters in Christ.  We need to meet together and build each other up in our most holy faith.  Speak kindly to one another.  Have patience with one another.  We’re each in different places in our walks with the Lord.  Some are super mature, others are painfully immature.  God loves us all and sets the perfect example through Jesus of patience.  Being with family isn’t easy, but then again, I’m not always easy to get along with either.  So grace is needed.

“God, forgive us for the times when we have chosen to walk away rather than toughing it out.  You never give up on us.  Help us not to give up on other people.  You have extended to each of us grace upon grace, mercy upon mercy, and never ending love.  Empower us by Your Spirit to extend grace, mercy and love to others.  Teach us to be patient and compassionate toward ourselves and toward others.  In the Name of our compassionate and loving Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.”

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

–Ephesians 4:29-32

So watch yourselves.

“If your brother or sistersins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

 –Luke 17:3-4

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

–Matthew 6:14-15

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

–Colossians 3:13-17