There’s A Strong Family Resemblance Among the Children Of God

I had an opportunity to travel to Dallas over the weekend to join my radio ministry partner, Dr. Andrew Farley, and participate in a 3-day event sponsored by Operation 220 at their beautiful headquarters in the Hope Center. Operation 220 is a counseling ministry which offers counseling and training from a Christian perspective, and has a established a network of Christian counselors nationwide.

People attended from all across the country, and one attendee even came from Canada. It was such a blessing to have an opportunity to participate with Andrew Farley in two of the sessions, and then to present a solo concert Saturday evening. Just like it is every weekend at Ragtown, it was like going to a family reunion.

Often at Ragtown Gospel Theater I have made the observation that there is a strong resemblance between members of the family of God. I saw that phenomenon so clearly over the weekend. It isn’t just because we all believe in the same God and are friendly. No, it is a real family resemblance…a genuine effect with a very real cause.

When the Spirit of Christ came within each of us who have come to Salvation, He made us a new creation according to Scripture. We don’t have the same bloodline as the lost. We have a totally different heart than the one we were born with—one that is fulfilled by love, and sickened by sin. And we all share that from the day of our salvation. How could we not share a few family traits?

Over the years of living in Christ, our kooky minds, gullible emotions, and obstinate will (subjected as they are to the world, the flesh, and the devil) may lead us into embracing and discarding all kinds of crazy notions about how God works. But in that heart that Jesus gave us at salvation, we all have the Truth. The same Truth. The whole Truth. The One Truth The One Way. And the One Life.

That is where that wonderful family resemblance comes from, and where the love that we can experience for a total stranger abides. What amazing things God has done, and continues to do.

In Dependence,

Chip