GOoDLifePrecepts By:KeviJ
Last August, I posted the emotional moment I hugged my son goodbye as he boarded the bus to begin Marine Corps basic training. My heart swelled with pride, hope, and a whispered prayer for his strength to stay connected to the true Vine. I had spent years nurturing his love for God and family, never knowing how this chapter would shape him. When I visited after his successful graduation, one comment caught me off guard: “Okay, Mom, I need to go be with my ‘brothas.’ I’ll have to see you another time!” For a split second, I felt a sting of sadness—wondering if his loyalty had shifted. But in that moment, I caught a glimpse of how Mary may have felt watching her Son step into His divine calling. There’s a holy tension when the child you raised for God begins prioritizing the mission over the moment, choosing spiritual allegiance over sentimental ties.
In God’s kingdom, obedience—not biology— determines belonging.
“Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”
Matt. 12:48
How do we define family? Interestingly, Jesus Himself both asks and answers this profound question, guiding us toward understanding its true essence without excessive effort on our part. The moment someone accepts Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, several life-altering transformations take place. They are forgiven of their sins and completely justified before God. The precious Holy Spirit takes up residence in their hearts, and they are transformed from darkness to light. Reconciliation back to God is made possible—and, according to this text, they’re also given a new identity as members of a divine family. This family is not established by natural birth nor earned through good deeds; it is received through faith, a gift of God’s remarkable grace, and it endures forever.
Jesus declared this truth with clarity and conviction, stating, “All who receive Him, He gives the right to become children of God.” This powerful declaration reminds us of God’s unconditional love and invitation for all to belong to His eternal family, a love that is both deeply personal and infinitely encompassing. It’s not about “earning your stripes or fighting for a spot”—it’s about receiving His love and learning to walk in it.
As a result of becoming part of a new family, we not only view ourselves differently, but we begin to see others through new eyes—kingdom eyes. If anyone is in Christ, that person becomes a new creation; the old person passes away, and a new person is born, and we don’t know anyone after the fleshly manner of thinking anymore.
We don’t identify people by roles; she’s my friend, or he’s my uncle, she’s my co-worker, or he’s/she’s someone I disagree with. We see everyone as a potential brother or sister in Christ, and we begin to love and treat them as family. When my son started seeing strangers as his family, I realized the transformation of how we see others required when we come into the kingdom of God! We no longer make decisions based on bloodlines, class, or even common interests; it’s now all about eternal assignment. Christ’s blood is now our DNA!
When Jesus pointed out that his mother, sister and brothers were those who are obedient to His Father, he was not dishonoring or disrespecting them, he was connecting a new definition to how we see family. The statement could no longer be made that “blood is thicker than water”; instead
obedience is thicker than blood.
In our culture, this is such a sensitive topic. The definition of family has undergone significant shifts. We’ve predicated our loyalty and obligation on tradition and things that were not related to the mission God had in mind of unity and submission to His will. Our values then will have to shift based on this sentiment and our surrender. In the Marines, my son found a new identity that was rooted in a shared purpose. There were moments he felt like he wanted to be a unique individual, and he fought against this idea of “all for one”. Righteousness is valued over reputation, and faith over familiarity, kingdom over comfort. While some things are hard to say, they must be said nevertheless if we are ever to embrace our new life in God’s family.
Time of Reflection:
** Thoughts to Ponder**
* If I consider “real” family as those in my bloodline only, perhaps I need to consider a new perspective as a kingdom citizen.
* When I accepted my new identity God’s kingdom, I realized my relational priorities had to change.
**Heart Probing Question**
Have I allowed natural loyalties to outweigh my spiritual calling?
Scripture References:
Matthew 12:48
John 1:12
Matthew 10:37
2 Corinthians 5:16
Luke 8:21
Study Resources:
Chronological study bible (Order of gospel accounts on Jesus’ teaching)
Closing prayer:
Father, I thank You for this new family I have been born into; it changes everything. Although I thank You for the earthly family I was born into, help me to see relationships through a kingdom lens. Teach me to love others without limits, and to obey you without hesitation, and to follow You above all else. Let me never forget the privilege of being Your child, and the honor of belonging to a family bound together by faith. In Jesus’ name, amen.
