Our Identity in Christ [People of God Part 1]…

May 22, 2008 | 12:00 AM

God sees his followers as his special, unique people—the bride of Christ and adopted children of the Father. With this identification comes a privileged position. Paul tells the church in Ephesus that they are “no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19). He does so again in his first letter to Timothy. The emphasis Paul makes is that all believers from all time are a family, and God is the Father. As with all families, they will not always get along, but the idea is that they should have a strong familial bond that brings them together.

Since human families are often dysfunctional, the model for a family relationship is seen in the relationship between Christ the Son and God the Father. Consider the implications. If the ancient Greeks thought of the gods as powerful beings who fooled around with people for their own entertainment, the Christian understanding of a Father God is one who adopts his followers as children and comforts them. This Father loves his children deeply and cares for their every need. He watches after them.

No good Father allows harm come to His children unless it is for their good. Paul comforts the church in Ephesus by reminding them what the Father has done for them. “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14, NIV).