FAMILY

There are three families: Natural, Spiritual and Eternal.

NATURAL FAMILY. First there is the planting of the seed of man, followed by the birth of a baby from the womb of woman. This is only a temporary dwelling with sickness, health, joy and sadness. The time here is short like a “vapor that appears for a little time, then vanishes away” (James 4:4), a fleeting shadow, a fading flower. Desire will fail; our dearest friends are gone. Sadly we fail to prepare for the next life while we “enjoy the pleasures of sin” (I Cor 15:22). Joy is mixed with trouble, pain, tears and death.

SPIRITUAL FAMILY. The gospel of Christ is the “seed” that is planted in honest and good hearts (Lk 8:11). Repentance of sin follows, then baptism, the “new birth of the water and the spirit,” not a physical birth. The seed is the word of God, the gospel. This “new birth” must be experienced, as Jesus told Nicodemus (Jn 3:3-5). We then are added to the kingdom of God, the church of Christ (Acts 2:37-48), like the 3,000 on the Day of Pentecost. Acts chapters 2, 8, 9, 10 and 16 tell of children of God being born again (baptized) into spiritual families in various cities. They are told to be obedient and faithful to Father God until death (Rev 14:13).

ETERNAL FAMILY. This is the everlasting home of the soul in heaven for all who remain “faithful until death.” (I Cor 15:50-58; 2 Cor 5:11). No sorrow, pain, crying or death (Rev 21:4).

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