Our True Family (Luke 8:19-21)

Our family can be the hardest people to accept change in our life. For it demands them to examine themselves which causes them to feel uncomfortable, because of guilt, shame, deep pain, etc., in which they would rather leave ignored. We cannot force change on anyone but it is so easily seen that way with those you live with. They may feel we think that we are better than them now, especially when certain things we did together we don't do anymore. They may try their best to distract us from following God and pull us back into our past. If that don't work then they might even reject us, many are those who have lost their families after accepting Christ. Jesus himself when doing the will of His heavenly Father was trying to be rushed away by His mother and brothers. Jesus response seems quite harsh, "My mother and my brothers are all those who hear God's word and obey it." Jesus point was that as Christians we must forsake all and follow God, even our loved ones. Yes, we are to try to reach them, and make that a priority, which is God's will, but it is not our only call of obedience. So when our family tries to prevent us from obeying God we don't allow it and we suffer whatever consequences therefore may follow. Our true family is now those who hear God's word and obey it. Family is so necessary for our personal growth. We all need support, so when our biological family does not support us we must look to our spiritual family. Our biological family is now our mission field, where we lay down our life to reach, but until they accept Christ we must understand that they are instruments that the enemy can use to distract, and even destroy the work of God in our lives. We all want peace in our homes, no-one wants to come home and fight, it is supposed to be our place of refuge. But, this might no longer be the case, our refuge maybe our home church, and our personal homes are now a war zone, where we fight the good fight of faith, not against flesh and blood but against dark powers, through spiritual warfare. We must learn to not take things personal, knowing the source behind unbelievers and those not yet mature in the Lord. If we are faithful to God and follow His leading, trusting Him with all of our heart, then the promise in His Word that our whole household would be saved will come true.