The Family of Christ

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” John 13:34 

As I ran the streets of Hinesville, Georgia, Saturday morning, I began counting my many blessings. 

“Lord, thank You for allowing me to be here to celebrate my daughter’s birthday. Thank You for my dear husband who joyfully made the long drive from Missouri to make it happen. Thank You for the sunshine and the sound of the birds singing. Thank You, mostly, for how You’ve changed my life, Lord. You have been so good to me.”

As I ran along a little further, I had to thank Him once again for being so good to me. All the twists and turns I had taken at the prompting of the Holy Spirit led me to the Westside Baptist Church of Hinesville, and my prayers were answered to find a place to worship. I prayed further,

“Thank You, Lord, for leading me here. I’m excited to be worshiping with my sweet Larry and our brothers and sisters in Christ tomorrow.” 

And, I had to smile as my husband and I walked in the doors of the church on Sunday. By the way our brothers and sisters greeted us and hugged us, an outsider would have assumed that we had been members of that church for years. But that’s what sets the body of Christ apart. We follow the commandment Jesus gave us to “love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” 

You see, God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us and gave us His precious gift of salvation. This means that the affection we are to “demonstrate” towards fellow believers should be a love so deep and instant that it considers fellow followers as family members rather than merely friends. God’s love is supernatural. It is this self-sacrificial devotion that has the power to inspire the lost to seek this otherworldly love for themselves. 

Not only did our new “family” welcome us into the fold, but we all chatted for a long time after the service was over and vowed to keep in touch. This is something that is easy—thanks to social media. We have continued to learn more about one another and to encourage and lift each other up, regardless of the miles that separate us. 

God is so good to give us HIS family! 

I said to Pastor Tony, “If there was ever a reason for nonbelievers to join the family of Christ, it’s this. We have brothers and sisters everywhere you go who will love you.” If you weren’t blessed to have a loving biological family (and so many of us weren’t), you can always find the fond affection and support you need within the body of believers.  

So, knowing that the love of Christ has no limits, we can also seek to love fellow believers in the same way. And remember, although you might not go to the same church as another believer, you are all part of the body of Christ; therefore, you have a spiritual family no matter where you go.

Heavenly Father, thank You for commanding us to love fellow believers in a way that shows the world we are your disciples and gives them a family wherever they might travel. Help us to show the affection to one another as You have commanded us to, Lord, so that the lost would be compelled to seek being a member of the family of Jesus Christ. It’s in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Melissa Sharp is an ultra runner and running coach who has completed more than 100 marathons and ultra marathons. Melissa has learned how to keep running the race of life for the glory of Christ even though she endured decades of domestic abuse. Melissa is a survivor. Through her daily blog thejoyfilledrunner she inspires others to live in the strength of Christ.