The Family of God

It was 1863. Edwin stood on a railroad platform in Jersey City. He watched as a young man was forced by crowds against a train car. The man dangerously fell into the crevice between the train and the platform. The train started to move. Edwin reached down and, at the last minute, pulled the man to safety.

The saved man was Robert Todd Lincoln, son of President Abraham Lincoln. Robert later wrote that his rescuer’s “face was of course well known to me,” because Edwin Booth was a famous actor. In fact, he was the brother of another actor—John Wilkes Booth—who would assassinate the president two years later.

This historical oddity illustrates a reality for us. We don’t choose the family we’re born into. Perhaps our siblings or parents made wrong choices. Maybe we’re the ones who’ve made a mess of everything. But the Bible tells of God’s family plan: “those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (Romans 8:14). As His children, “we are [his] heirs” (v. 17). Amazingly, we’re invited to call Him “Abba, Father” (v. 15).

We may long wrestle with the dysfunctions of our earthly family. But we can take comfort that God has changed our spiritual heritage. He adopts us into His family. Most precious of all—He invites us to call Him our Father.

What does it mean to you to be part of God’s family? How does it compel you to live differently?

Paul describes believers in Jesus as being “children of God” (Romans 8:14). We’ve received “adoption to sonship” (v. 15) and no longer live as fearful slaves. To call God the Father “Abba” describes the family relationship and the boldness that believers can have when they approach Him. The word sonship is important because it implies inheritance. Paul isn’t erasing daughters but instead showing that all believers are now “heirs of God” (v. 17). Through the Spirit, believers stand next to Jesus as full “co-heirs.” The adopted children of God have the same full rights as the Son, and the Spirit seals that privileged status (v. 15).