Three Chief Christian Relationships

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Every Christian is a child in the family of God. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." Rom. 8:1616The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (Romans 8:16). And God looks for us to be imitators of Him, as dear children, and to walk in love (Eph. 5:1, 21Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor. (Ephesians 5:1‑2)).
Every Christian is a member of the body of Christ. "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." 1 Cor. 12:1313For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13). And this, too, in resurrection, where no change can ever take place: "For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones." Eph. 5:3030For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. (Ephesians 5:30). And being thus livingly united to the Head in heaven, we are members one of another. "For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." Rom. 12:4, 54For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. (Romans 12:4‑5). While nothing can exceed the reality and blessedness of this vital union, it also involves the most weighty responsibility. We cease to be simply individual in our actions; the whole body is affected by our spirit and ways. This consideration ought to make every Christian most careful to act consistently with his relation to the Head and members of the body of Christ: "And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it." 1 Cor. 12:2626And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. (1 Corinthians 12:26).
3) Every Christian is a servant in the kingdom of God. It may be through much tribulation that we enter into God's kingdom; not so into the family of God, or into the body of Christ. Christian service is connected with a purified conscience: "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" Heb. 9:1414How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14). In Thessalonians we find service connected with conversion, and the hope of the Lord's return: "Ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven." 1 Thess. 1:9, 109For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:9‑10). In the parable of the pounds, the blessed Lord places this truth most fully and distinctly before us, with its own rewards. We read too, "God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister." Heb. 6:1010For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Hebrews 6:10). The fruit of our service will be fully known in the bright millennial day, when the time spoken of shall come: "That Thou shouldest give reward unto Thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear Thy name, small and great." Rev. 11:1818And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. (Revelation 11:18).
Let every Christian then seek grace to act consistently as a child in the family of God, a member in the body of Christ, and a servant in the kingdom of God.