THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the HOUSEHOLD of FAITH” – Galatians 6:10

Christians are not only building blocks in God’s House, but also members of the HOUSEHOLD of GOD: “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the HOUSEHOLD of GOD”– (Eph.2:19). Paul wrote: “but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the HOUSE of GOD, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). In other words, we are members of God's family. He says, "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore, come out from among them and be separate…Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters…” (2 Cor. 6:16-18). As Christians, God is our Father, and we are His children. We are members of His Household.

Another phrase identifying God's family is “the HOUSEHOLD of FAITH”": “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal.6:10). We are members of God's family because we are obedient to the faith: “Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7). Faith comes from hearing Christ's Word (Rom. 10:17). In order to be saved, we must obey the gospel of Christ (2 The. 1:8; Heb. 5:9). We are then adopted by God and added to the Church: “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47b).

When we obey God's word, in obedience to the faith, He makes us members of His family, adopting us as His children. As members of the Household of God, we are “fellow citizens with the saints”: our citizenship is in heaven: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil.3:20). We are heaven-bound beings, passing through earth’s phase – creatures of eternity passing through time! That’s why we are described and ought to live as “strangers and pilgrims” (1Pet.2:11). "But God…made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:4-6).

As God's household, we are the pillar and ground of the truth (1Tim.3:15). We are responsible for preaching, sharing, and living the truth to the world; teaching it to every generation, as we earnestly contend for the faith: “…I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3).

Everyone is important in God’s Household. Just like an earthly family, each household member is significant (Eph. 4:14-16). Everyone has work to do. Everyone has something to offer. Elderly members of God's household may not be able to do the physical work they once did, but they can be valuable counsellors and teachers, leading the way to God in the latter years of life. Christians in the prime of life have many responsibilities in the church. We don't all have the same talents and abilities, but each one is equally important (1 Cor. 12:12-26; Eph. 4:16). Youth and children are growing in the Lord, yet there are many things they can offer in the family, while they prepare themselves for leadership roles in the future.

As God’s Household, we have a unique relationship, which can't be experienced by people outside of Christ. It's a wonderful privilege to be a member of His Household (1Cor. 6:2-3). We should therefore carefully examine ourselves to ensure we're walking in ways worthy of our calling, and never come short of God’s Grace (Eph. 4:1; Heb. 12:15). We are God's family!