Family Bonds

Recently on an outing with my dear husband and friends, we were all seated around a small table enjoying a snack break.  Now, as it turns out, these "friends" happened to be "brothers" to one another.  David and I noticed the bond they shared, and particularly when they spoke of a club/gang they formed when they were children which remains intact for present day.  In my curiosity, as I know the pleasant, kind dispositions of these men, I just had to ask, "Is this gang weaponized?"  Then simultaneously, without a word, they all reached into their front pockets and pulled out some of the smallest, dinkiest, pocket knives you've ever seen! Laugh out loud!  After this hilarious episode, and trying not to be strangled on my hot coffee, it occurred to me that this should be one of those "well seasoned" scenarios worth sharing.

Family, an institution from the very beginning by our Heavenly Father, is not to be taken lightly.  Just as surely as our Father established it, so the enemy, Satan, set out to bring destruction right away.  One need simply return to the account in the Garden of Eden to begin the process of understanding the struggle of what lies ahead in familial relationships.  Actually, from the beginning, it was the work of man to keep the garden and build a family.  This takes consistent, on guard, work. ( See references Genesis 1:26-31; read Genesis chapters 2,3, & 4)

For brevity in this article we'll spare the discussion of varying family types.  (spiritual families which consist of Christian brethren, or earthly families established through marriage, births, adoptions, etc.)  If we follow the Scripture, we have to acknowledge that the family will certainly be defined as what God says it should be, and His instruction is provided for each setting.  (See reference Genesis 1:26-31)

The gist of this article is written because of the struggle all around that people we know and love experience in their families, mine included.  Close relatives will sometimes prefer to not see or deal with one another over simple opinion differences and petty aggravating weights and sin that tend to plague human beings in general.  Certainly all manner of selfish, sinful behaviors can create such schism in relationships that closeness just doesn't seem possible.  Yet... it is possible, and as much as lies within us to keep peace and a pure heart toward a loved one where family ties are strained, so we should do.  (See reference Matthew 10:34-36)    Again, this work can be challenging, but in Christ, it isn't optional, or hopeless.  (See references Romans 12:18;14:19; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Hebrews 12:14)

Forgiveness offered for transgression must occur.  Then if someone is unwilling to forgive you, this must be left in the providential work of our Heavenly Father.  After all, the prayer He instructed us to pray reads, 'Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.' (See reference Matthew 6:12,14,15)  We must love and pray for the person who will not grant us forgiveness for some reason, finding our peace through Christ Who works in all things and turns the hearts of men.  (See reference Matthew 5:21-26)

So much could be said on this topic that resonates with most families.  If you're familial relationships are all peaceable, joy filled, and without issue, 'hats off to you.'  I'm pretty sure that you're in Heaven already! Laugh out loud!  It's biblical for families to deal with frustration in its members.  It's also very biblical to go to God's Word and find the resolution to what ails us.

Oh the joy of seeing brothers walk together, have each others backs, and share the blessings afforded by God to us in this life.  This comes with continual cultivation of practicing Truth with patience and trusting the provisions of His grace.

So today, grab hold of those loved ones or those we're supposed to love most.  Hold them dear in your heart and prayers.  If this can't happen yet, direct your prayers and actions toward it.  Maybe within the days ahead you too can form a bond of covenant with that one you love.

Hey, buy a "pocket knife" to keep on your person and pull it out of your pocket as a token and reminder of your common bond as our very wise friends have done.  Simply said, do whatever it be that helps you maintain the workings of the love of God in your life and relationships.

Romans 15:33 "May the peace of God be with you all, Amen."

Blessings in Christ,

Julie

Scripture References: ESV

Genesis 1:26-31 "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.  And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.'  So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.  And God blessed them.  And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'  And God said, 'Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.'  And it was so.  And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good.  And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day."

Genesis 2:15 "The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it."

See Genesis chapters 3 & 4 for the account of the enemy against God's family.

Matthew 10:34-36 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace on the earth.  I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.  For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.  And a person's enemies will be those of his own household."

Romans 12:16-18 "Live in harmony with one another.  Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.  Never be wise in your own sight.  Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."

Romans 14:9 "So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding."

2 Corinthians 13:11 "Finally, brothers, rejoice.  Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you."

Hebrews 12:14 "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord."

Matthew 6:12,14,15 "...and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors...For it you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

Matthew 5:21-26 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.'  But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire.  So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go.  First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.  Come to terms quickly with you accuser while you are going with him  to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.  Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny."