10-28-2014

 Good Morning All,

       Galatians 3:28; “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

     So God has blessed our family with a new member.  We have a granddaughter who joined the world on Sunday.  She joins her brother and along with mom and dad makes a nice family.  Even though she joins this family she is different from her brother.  When her brother was born he was blond and with very little hair.  She has a head of very dark hair.  When her brother was brand new, he barely made a peep; she lets you know when she is not happy in the least.  Her brother is already worried she will take all his toys; (she probably will).  Yet when the nurse was weighing her and changed her diaper, she let out a howl of disapproval.  Her brother didn’t like the way the nurse was treating her.  She wasn’t even 12 hours old and he is only 21/2 but he was going to defend her because she is his sister.

    Even though they are a little different from each other and she is bringing a new personality into this family; nobody wants to trade her.  She is a part of the family and just as loved as any other member.  She is just as important and as valued at a day old as the rest of the members of her family.  No one would leave the others behind or disown them. It doesn’t matter what the hair color or gender, the personality or the talent; they are all part of the same family.

    Our life in God’s faith family is the same.  It doesn’t matter how we are different because we are all the same in the family of Christ.  We are of one faith, one Christ, joined together with Him in one baptism.  There is only one redemption to which we are brought into the one family of God. 

    It does not matter where we came from or how we got here.   We may have different skills, traits or talents but we are all God’s children through His baptism.  We are in his holy family called to be his agents of reconciliation in this world.  Yet we are one family; cleansed by the blood of the one true Lamb.  We are all in God’s loving and benevolent care. 

    It doesn’t matter if you have been a lifelong member or a recent convert; our grace is the same, our sins are forgiven.  We have the same destiny; eternal life with Christ in the restored creation.  None is higher or lower; we are all his children.  So we rejoice, just like when a new child joins a family, when person repents and comes to know the saving grace of Christ.  We should rejoice that the family of God is getting larger and one more soul is brought home.

Father, we give you thanks for the gift of new life.  We especially give you thanks for the gift of life which brings new ones into your kingdom.  Help us to see that all are one in you and that we should rejoice in the coming to faith that brings new life in your loving arms.  Guide us by your Holy Spirit to love each of your children as you love them.  Move us to be in unity with our entire fellow redeemed.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret