“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.” — Ephesians 3:14-15
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Over the years, our high school basketball team has used many expressions as a rally cry to break our huddle. The most common has been, “Chapelgate on three! 1-2-3 Chapelgate!” There have been others, however, such as, “Unity, unity, unity!” and “Work hard!” We have even had, “1-2-3, Chapelgate on me!” However, one of the most common rally cries among sports teams, including ours, is, “Family on three, 1-2-3, family!”
What makes the comparison of a sports team to a family so attractive? First of all, the institution of a family has existed ever since the beginning of time when God created the first family with Adam and Eve. Families, and the institution of marriage for that matter, have been the most durable and sustainable institution since the foundation of the world. It is no wonder sports teams would try to create a family-like atmosphere in their locker rooms, on their playing fields, and in their gyms.
Being a part of a family represents loyalty, love, sacrifice, selflessness, unselfishness, purpose, identity, a sense of belonging, security and an “I have your back” attitude. You may have heard or seen the acronym that family means “Forget About Me I Love You,” emphasizing the others-first mentality demonstrated by a family and so desired by a team. This kind of mentality creates not only a winning culture for a team, but also actually impacts winning games.
The idea of a family is such a powerful illustration that God Himself uses it to describe a Christian’s relationship to Him. We can be adopted into God’s family by believing that His Son died for our sins and rose again on our behalf. God uses the term adoption throughout the New Testament to describe this unique, family-like relationship that occurs when we become a born-again member of His family. He is our Father, Jesus is our elder brother, and the invisible Church, and all those who are a part of it, become our brothers and sisters in Christ.
As wonderful and influential as a family can be humanly speaking, and even though everyone who has ever lived is part of a family, we know that in a fallen world families can also be a place of much hurt and emotional pain. Here is where being a member of God’s family through faith in Jesus Christ far exceeds the influence and value of even the most wonderful family on earth.
What a blessing it is to be adopted into God’s family as one of His children, and to know that no one can snatch you out of His hand for all eternity!
— Frick Frierson
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