Families That Stay Together Love One Another (Part 2)

Colossians 3:12-14, NKJV

The family is the oldest institution ordained by God. On the sixth day of creation, God concluded His magnificent work by making man in His own image – “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26a). “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27). Then God blessed them, and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply…” (Genesis 1:28a). We are blessed to have been made in God’s image, and our families are to reflect that. He gave us a mind, a will, emotions, and the freedom to manifest a spiritual life through the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). When families stay together, it usually demonstrates their obedience to God’s purpose and good pleasure for their lives and not their own selfish purposes. The family belongs to God; therefore, families that stay together love one another. We may try to live independent of Him, and therein is the problem. Living outside of God is selfish and causes division from which families may never recover. There’s no perfect family because each member has his or her own personality. However, families that “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33a) do learn to maintain unity.

We are commanded as “His elect, holy and beloved,” to reflect the character of the new man. “Put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering, or patience” (v.12). We must do all we can to live a life that reflects godliness.  Having patience with each other helps us to endure some things when we don’t want to. Families sometimes have strong disagreements with one another, but we are to bear graciously with one another, and willingly forgive one another just as Christ forgave us (v.13). We don’t give up on family. “Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in [unselfish] love; it is the perfect bond of unity [for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others]” (Colossians 3:12-14, AMP, paraphrased).

Remember, our relationship with Him is a holy union through faith in His Son Jesus Christ. John 13:34-35 commands that we love one another. Give God glory for families that stay together love one another.