Oh, those days of “sibling rivalry”. Did you fight like cats and dogs as we did our family? It seems like every child wants to be the center of attention and have their own way.
But what about our brothers and sisters in Christ? Do we fight, vie for attention, and demand our own way? Or have we matured into adults in the family of God?
And just what does it mean to be brothers and sisters in Christ? How does that all work?
Brothers and sisters in Christ
Every year we celebrate biological “siblings day”. Yet I have never seen a celebration for spiritual siblings.
When it comes to something that lasts for eternity you would think we would commemorate this often. However, I think that many don’t really understand the implications of being part of the family of God.
Brothers and sisters in Christ meaning
There is little difference between siblings in biological families, and brothers and sisters in Christ.
It is just that we can choose to be or not be part of God’s family. In contrast, we are more-or-less “stuck” with our biological siblings.
True brothers and sisters in Christ begin to take on family traits and become more like Jesus in their attitudes, actions, and thoughts.
If this maturity or change is not taking place, then it is questionable if we are really part of God’s family.
How we become brothers and sisters in Christ
When I was a child I told people that I was a distant relative of the Queen of England. Just saying those words did not make it true. I was not born into the Royal Family. Neither was I adopted into it through a legal process or through marriage.
Becoming siblings in Christ is not by saying words. It is through a relationship with Jesus. This is how we are adopted into God’s family.
While we can decide if we want to be part of this heavenly family, we don’t do any of the work. The legal transition takes place with God, our father.
And just like the physical adoption process has a price, so does spiritual adoption. We don’t buy it or earn it.
The price for becoming part of God’s family was paid by Jesus with His death, burial, and resurrection.
If you don’t know Jesus, you probably have questions. The people at Chat About Jesus have answers. You can text, call, or chat with them online any time of the day or night.
Why sibling rivalry is not OK for brothers and sisters in Christ
What does the Bible say about sibling rivalry? Here are some Brothers and sisters in Christ verses.
“Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” Galatians 5:26 ESV
I can’t think of a better description. These people irritated each other. That is what we did as kids. This is not how members of the family of God should act.
” … By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” John 13:35 NIV
Demanding our own way is not showing love.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Sibling rivalry among Christians is neither kind nor forgiving. If we want to be part of the family of God, we must also act like it.
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Children often try to impress others by being “better” than they are. That often included words like, “My ______ is better than yours.”
What did you say as a kid? Put it in the comments. I tried to impress other kids by saying, “My dad is better than yours.”
But in the family of God, no one is better than anyone else. We are all on an even playing field. We are not in competition with each other.
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
So how are you doing? Are you living like brothers and sisters in Christ? If not, why not? Does it seem impossible?
With God all things are possible, even living in harmony as part of the Family of God.
You might also like to read, Christian Faith For Beginners.
References:
- Thanks to Bible Gateway for easy navigation of the Scriptures.
- All images are from a Canva paid subscription.