The Household of Faith

Do not speak harshly to an older man, but speak to him as a father; to younger men as brothers; to older women as mothers; to younger women as sisters - with absolute purity.   1 Timothy 5:1-2

Since we have been adopted as sons and daughters, the sibling relationship emerges as prominent in describing how the family of God should operate.  I am thinking that our own sibling groups may often fall short of a being a guide.  Some of the biggest contentions in our life might be with our siblings.  

Yet, in the New Testament the relationship between believers is referenced as "brethren."  It comes from the Greek word, delphos, which means "from the womb." It is cast as our commonness with Christ as if brothers/sisters by blood, hailing from the source of life of the Trinity:  a common bond intended to honored.

Since our sibling groups on earth aren't always the best example, how does the Bible describe this sibling group?

First, the sibling ethos rests in mutual love.  In John 15:12-13, "Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this:  to lay down one's life for one's friends."  This means to go the distance for each other, to be in service to the ones we love.  Here are ways to do this:

    - be of service to your siblings (Galatians 5:13)

    - cause no one to stumble;  don't get in the way of faith for anyone 1 Corinthians 8:11-13

    - look to the interests of others (Romans 14: 15, 21; Philippians 2:4)

    - share resources (Heb 13:16; 6:9-10; 10:24 -25)

    - to the point resources are shared so there is equity (Acts 4:32, 34-35; Acts 11:29)

    - hospitality is a top priority, a core-value (3 John 1:5-8, 9-10)

    - act in unity, since in being one-minded and one-hearted (1 Peter 3:8  (Please note that this is "harmony" - of a blended chord not a single note and of same motivations - not self, but Christ's.)

    - Paul censures all rivalries - pitting one against the other - selfish ambition and disunity.  (Philippians 1:27-30; 4:2-3)

Paul's treatise on this unity is in Philippians 2: 1-5, finally declaring Christ as our ultimate example in verses 6-11.  The sibling question becomes one of who is really in charge and that equity is to rule our relationships because the honor or loss of one is felt by the entire kinship group, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.  "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it."

These seem to be the most demanding choices of the faith, to be in full allegiance with the family of God:  No black sheep, no first born privileges (except Christ), no exclusions.  We need this solidarity with each other is the ultimate expression of love when we all live a caste-based society with a hierarchy, which often results in the  sequestering of human sustenance and privilege.    

Also, we need this solidarity because it becomes the greatest tool for evangelism.

Join

1 Corinthians 12:7-27

Here is Paul's famous metaphor of the "body of Christ."  He uses it to help us realize our significance as a unit.  He says we need each other, "all parts of the body are mutually dependent on and care for each other."  If one suffers, we all suffer; everyone is a vital member.  If ever you have stubbed a toe or smashed a fingernail, you know the experience of a seemingly forgotten body part suddenly impacting the entire body.  

And none of us can stand alone.  In The Message by Eugene Peterson, in verse 19, he interprets so we can see the catastrophe of over-exaltation of any given part of the body: "if the body were just an eye or just a hand, it would be a monster."  Some Christians have been monsters trying to be the beginning and end-all of the faith, or of a church, or of a family.  If everyone is a vital member, then none can be the "head," except Christ.

Specifically, Christ wants us to be humble enough to work together under his headship.  It is an act of love on his part to allow us a place to become a working element of the body of believers, no matter how small or large our position may seem.  I revel is the lesser role, the necessary role.  I am not the ultimate answer.  I am not negligible.  I have my place, designed for and assigned to.  I want to rest in that place  and work to be my best in that place.

It may take some trial and error to find that place for ourselves.  Where are our skills best used?  Where is the greatest need or lack within the church?  What wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, teaching, interpretation is needed?  What chair needs folded?  What hand needs held?  What meal needs prepared?

Our coordinated effort is what will call a world's attention to Christ.  Jesus says it himself in John 17:23 as he is praying for us within the relationship between him and the Father  :  "May they be brought to complete unity so the world will know that you sent me and have loved them, even as you have loved me."

Unity.  Unified.  Coordinated effort as a body performs its life functions.  Join in your space in this body and watch the miracle of life as never before!