Recently I have been reminded anew that no matter what kind of family background each of us comes from, when we are born again in Christ we come into a new family. We are saved from something, sin and death, but also into something, namely the family of faith. Your local church community is an expression of the family that God has set up through His son Jesus Christ.
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God – John 1:12
Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone–especially to those in the family of faith – Galatians 6:10
Family is a difficult concept and can certainly illicit a whole range of thoughts and emotions for each of us, but the family of faith is centered on God and works together for His Glory, laying aside past hurts and selfish ideals. When the local church operates as a family in this way it is beautiful, and it draws outside observers to our Father God