FAMILY MEMBERS
1 Corinthians 12:26
If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
We snuck as carefully and quietly as possible, getting into position for the shot. The buffalo are a heard animal and we had to wait for the cow and calves, along with the younger bulls to clear. The goal was to take the oldest bull from the heard. The plan was to remove the animal that needed to be removed as he was past his prime and it was not only going to supply nearly a ½ ton of meat, but also benefit the heard.
At the sound of the shot the bull fell, dispatched immediately. Also at the sound the remainder of the heard rushed around the bull... not for his protection... but for the protection of the rest of the family.
There are many animals that come together as a tight family to protect those that need them. Musk oxen are probably the best example. Whenever they sense danger whether that be from predators or even from the brutal weather of the artic where they live, the larger animals face the danger with there rear ends close together. The youngest calves protected by the adult animals. This created behavior is not just found in animals, it is also what we all should do as a family.
The family of God should be the same way. I've heard it said that the family of God should be like the gangs in our cities. While this might be a stretch in many senses of the word, "family". Drugs, drug sales, deadly violence, organized crime and other sinful culture of "gangs " are all part of gangs... However, the one thing that gangs have that many families don't is that once you are a part of the family, you are looked after, taken care of and others will even put their own lives at risk for someone else within the family. This is what the family of God should be.
In John 13:34 Jesus said, " A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another."
In a time when we, as Christians, are coming under attack for our beliefs, we need even more strength in how we look out for one another. Like the musk oxen, when we see danger coming against one of our family, we must stand in a place to protect those in need. We cant back down we must love those in the family as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us.
We are facing times of attacks coming down on the entire family of God. Keep your eyes open for those in need of protection and encouragement. Step up and be the one that protects and builds up those in need.
Be part of the "gang" that is the family of God.
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