Friday, May 17, 2013

“A Month of Thankfulness” Devotional Series (Day 17)


[It is] not good that the man should be alone;

SIH’s Think On These Things: Gen 2:18, 1 John 3:14-19

 

 

“It is not good that the man should be alone”, these words were spoken by our Lord referring to Adam and his great need for a life companion.  However, this principle applies to not only our earthly, temporal relationships but also our spiritual, eternal relationships as well.

 

Gen 2:18, 22-23 (KJV)  And the LORD God said, [It is] not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him….. And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.  And Adam said, This [is] now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

In these verses, we see the creation and establishment of the temporal family unit.  Adam, the first created human was found to be incomplete due to the lack of a mate.  In response to this situation, the Lord created Eve and united them in the family unit, which filled the void that was within Adam. 

In these verses we can see one of the most basic principles of the family unit is to have individuals committed to one another in love and purpose.  It is through this commitment that they work for the common good of the family and for the advancement of each individual of that family.  It is because of this goal to produce stronger family units and individuals that the Lord has given roles for each family member to fulfill… husbands and wives (1 Cor 7:1-6, Eph 5:22-33 etc); fathers (Eph 6:4 etc); mothers (Tit 2:4-5); children (Eph 6:1-3).

 

1John 3:14-19 (KJV) We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren… Hereby perceive we the love [of God], because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren.  But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels [of compassion] from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth…

In the same way that our earthly family is formed to strengthen the family and each member of that family, our spiritual family shares in these purposes as well.  By recognizing that, at salvation, we become a part of God’s spiritual family we are reminded to jointly love, sacrifice and labor on behalf of Christian family members around us.  

This principle is displayed in Acts 2:44-47 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all [men], as every man had need.  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

 

During this Thanksgiving season, and throughout the year, let us all be sure to appreciate the wonderful family members that the Lord has given to us.  Whether it be our physical or spiritual family members let’s all join Paul as he said I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,  Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship…” Phil 1:3-5 (KJV)

 

May the Lord bless us as we “Think On These Things”.

 




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