From the desk of Pastor Ben
The Importance of Relationship – Part 2
Stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”     (Matthew 12:49-50)
Being a member of Christ’s human family did not by itself merit salvation. Any gospel invitation He ever gave implicitly included His relatives, because they too needed redemption from darkness to light. Anyone who faithfully obeys Jesus is a member of His spiritual family. That’s why He tells us here in these verses, “Whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother.”
Jesus’ use of “whoever” denotes the universal inclusiveness of His invitation (Matthew 18:11-14; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9): no one who believes is excluded, and no one who does not believe is included. God’s great desire for all humanity is that people be well-pleased with His Son, just as He is (Matthew 3:17), and that they believe and obey the Savior (John 6:29). Outside of such relationship, God can’t and won’t give spiritual help, and a person can’t truly serve Him.
Having a right relationship to Jesus, however, demands much more than just a rhetorical statement of intellectual understanding or superficial loyalty (see Matthew 7:21-23). A true saving relationship results only when we humbly respond to the gospel of grace, as described at the birth of the church: “When they heard Peter’s sermon, they were pierced to the heart, and said . . . ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’ Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 2:37-38)
Ask Yourself:
How has God helped you overcome any doubts about the salvation you have received by His grace, through faith? What gives you confidence that your relationship with Him is not based on words or mental assent, but rather on His own sure promises and your genuine repentance?