A Growing Family

On April 25, 2022 our family welcomed its newest addition, Jonathan “Jack” Michael, born to our son Jonathan and his wife Danielle. That means Kim and I are grandparents twice over! We are so excited. And, we were glad to have been able to go down to where they live in Maryland last weekend and spend a few days with them, getting to know little Jack, playing with big brother Jesse, and helping them with some of the chaos that comes along with a newborn coming home. 

We are grateful that, ours is a growing family. And in many ways, that’s the way it’s supposed to be. Now I know there are many situations in which that is not possible, some by choice and some by circumstances, often difficult ones, out of one’s control. But the general trajectory of life is for one generation to bring forth another generation—i.e., for families to be growing. Or as God instructed Adam and Eve, for married couples to be “fruitful and multiply.” Families were meant to grow. 

I’m reminded, however, that such is meant to be the case not only for our physical, biological families, but even more so for the spiritual family that we call the “Family of God.” You see, when we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we not only become citizens of God’s Kingdom, we not only become servants within God’s household, but we become his children, adding to the family. 

The Apostle John put it this way, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John. 1:12-13 – NIV) Paul wrote, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” (Romans 8:16 – NIV) 

I believe the instruction to be “fruitful and multiply” applies not just to physical, biological families, but even more so to the spiritual family that includes all those who have put their faith in Christ and are being saved. That is why we are commissioned to bring the gospel into all the world. God’s heart is for his family to be a growing family. God’s purpose is that one generation would give birth to another and then to another and to another! God is longing to have more and more children!

So whether or not your biological family is growing, if you are a follower of Jesus, you are called to do your part to bring about growth in God’s family.  You and I have been called to bring this incredible word of “good news” to those around us that they too  might experience the joy of being called, “a child of God!” 

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1 – NIV) 

Have a great day! 

- Pastor Tim Harris