We Are God's Children

Introduction

Since the first of the year we have focused on the family. We end this series with a reminder that as God’s family, we have a role to play in each other’s lives. Family matters. But in order for us to be family, we have to come from the same blood. Spiritually we are from the blood of Jesus. We have a Father who birthed us through the power of his Spirit and provides the Spirit to help us live holy. Family matters.

Ever been given something that you didn’t deserve? I have received from both sets of grandparents that which I didn’t deserve. Dishes or documents both are saved and remembered. The best part of such gifts is that they are given without obligation. They gave because they wanted to give not because they had to. They wanted us to have such items. They only asked that we care for the items. They gave because of love. The gifts are not valuable to another. Some would not sell at a garage sale but then I would not sell them for any amount of money. They are precious because of who gave them.

While the gifts were given without obligation, my response to those gifts is one of great gratitude, thankfulness, and to feel a sense of debt. No obligation. No one telling me I have to feel that way. In fact, the gifts are mine to do with as I wish. But I have no desire to sell them, give them away (at least for now; perhaps later to my own children), or dispose of them. Instead I honor them; I treasure them for what they are.

Surely the spiritual application isn’t lost on us. God has done so much. He gives because it is his nature to give. The holy God whose nature it is to love gave for his creation. He did not withhold his son from us but gave him fully and freely for us. He wants us. But he does not demand us. He gives and then allows us to decide what we will do with his gift. Some accept; some reject. He wants all to come to him. He wants all to receive his gift with thankfulness but not all will. Our study time is to remind us of God’s mercies and our response to him. Our God gives; we receive with thanksgiving. Let’s express our thanks.

Response

This text has often been discussed. It may be difficult for us to get a fresh perspective from this text. The phrase “urge you” is a strong exhortation. It moves far beyond a strong suggestion to a command. Paul likes to use this word when he wants his readers to spiritually mature in thinking. He uses the same word in Ephesians 4:1 “I urge you to live a life worthy of the call you have received.” Mature in actions and thinking. In this case, Paul urges his readers to mature in their thinking and actions with God’s mercy in view.

Paul has emphasized the mercy of God in the preceding chapters. From God’s mercy in allowing creation to reflect his glory; to providing salvation through Jesus; to grafting Gentiles into his plan through the Jews — God’s mercy is evident if one chooses to see it. Mercy has to do with extending compassion and kindness to the undeserving. The only time a person needs mercy is when they have failed against the standard. Caught speeding but no ticket is mercy.

What is to be our response to God’s mercy? To place ourselves on the altar of sacrifice. Like the sacrifices of old we are to be living, holy, and pleasing to God. Sometimes the translations confuse us making living sacrifices be distinctive from holy and pleasing. But all three adjectives describe the word sacrifice. When we focus on God’s mercy then our response is sacrificial. In fact Paul says this is absolutely reasonable. The word translated “spiritual” in the NIV is translated “reasonable” in other translations. One translation even uses the word “intelligent” to convey the sense of the word. We might even use the word “rational” to convey the meaning. Paul says when we focus on God’s mercy the only reasonable, intelligent, or rational response is worship.

Paul is not referring to the assembly but that our day to day life is to be a reflection of the mercy of God. In light of God’s mercy it is absolutely rational to dedicate ourselves wholly to God. In light of God’s mercy, it is absolutely irrational or unreasonable to live for self. It just follows logically that one would give his or her life to God when we think of what he has done for us. The person who has been extended mercy for violating the speed limit is completely irrational or unreasonable to speed away from the police officer as if the mercy granted was meaningless. How much more so is the spiritual response to God’s mercy? The person who accepts God’s mercy and then behaves and thinks in selfish ways is irrational or unreasonable.

But obviously focusing on God’s mercy is not an easy task. Our minds get diluted; confused. We tend to focus on what this world has to offer. A real change has to take place. It is a change in the mind. When the change is made then we will confirm what God’s will is. When the change of focus takes place, then we more closely align ourselves with God’s will. The question is “how do we change our minds?”

Changed Minds

What do you feed your mind? I like the music I grew up with. There are some songs that if I hear them now I am immediately transported to another time. Even in the dead of winter, some songs just make me want to roll down my car window and let the air rush through the car. But some of the music I grew up with was and is poison to my mind. I still like music but I am more selective about what I listen to. What are you feeding your mind?

Not just musically. The social network of today is a frenzy of information that can lead to numbing our minds. Why not use the social network to reflect a changed mind rather than appealing to the discouragement of life.

Do you engage in media that brings out the morally reprehensible part of your nature? That which appeals to our base desires does not change the heart to discover God’s will? What we feed our minds matters.

What do you allow your mind to think about? Paul says think about God’s mercy. Too often we allow ourselves to think about the negative — an injustice, a complaint, an event, a regret, sin — and allow those things to be our focus. Our culture emphasizes emotions as the basis for action. Actions are followed which make us feel good. It is a selfish view of life. The very idea of sacrifice does not fit the mind set on following only good emotions. But our culture is not the first to live this way. Paul says that when we focus on God’s mercy we in fact discover worship or service. We discover that life lived only for self does not bring us what we really want. So pray through those negative thoughts. Seek to refocus on God’s mercy.

Find someone to share your faith journey. In verses 3—8, Paul spends time discussing the different functions within the body. This interconnectedness is vital for the body. We belong to each other. We are family. Family helps us to stay focused. Not everyone responds to family in the same way. But that doesn’t change the intent of the family. Find someone or several to help you focus on God’s mercy; to help you change your mind; to help you worship Father. Invitation.

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