God’s first command is in Genesis 1:28, “...Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth…”,thus defining, from the very beginning, that the Great Commission is to “build a family.” Within this concept, making a family after the image of God is ultimately the overall mission of God’s kingdom. Although we don’t make them into a family, we get to be the mouthpiece that reveals the pathway to becoming a child of God.
In essence, we have two families to interact with, and both require special care. Our families we were born into at our physical birth is where we were nurtured as a baby, it’s where we adopted our personality and temperament, and it’s where we learned what love was—initially. Ideally, that upbringing will closely resemble the family we were added to at our baptism (Acts 2:47, Ephesians 3:14-19, 1 Timothy 3:5). However, for some, a family is seen as a group of dysfunctional people, selfishly battling for approval or an inheritance, always manipulating one another and trying to outdo each other. In contrast, God’s family is designed to function in a way that stands out from all other families. This family models attributes like inclusivity, mercy, burden-sharing, and equality in a way that speaks deeply to the needs of everyday people.
1 Peter 2:12, “Live such good lives among (those outside) that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” The reality is that this family functions under the principles of Good News. It’s good news to be part of a family that models peacemaking instead of hatred and jealousy.
Perhaps one obstacle that often arises is "Who is qualified to tell others how to become part of God’s family?" Some people may assume they are part of the family already, and there are others that aren’t ready to accept the invitation yet. While God wants everyone to be part of His family, there are certain attributes that are required (Mark 16:16; Luke 13:3; Matthew 10:32-33).
The desire to trust (obey) God helps reveal our devotion to God as our father. Romans 8:14-17, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”
As Jesus spoke to the woman at the well (John 4), He helped her understand that “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem….[but] the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks…” One important goal is for us to be that family that helps define what the Good News is all about.
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