Abba & Family

As I have been listening to a book on the Millenials (those born 1980-2000) which is the largest generation since the Baby Boomers, I was struck how the statistics reveal that this is a very family-centered generation.  In Luke 1:17 in speaking of John the Baptist it is said, "It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."   It is amazing to hear a book, that is looking at a statistical sample (1200) of the nearly 78 million, say that this is one of the most family-centered generations in history!  I see Abba's heart for family being actually displayed in the attitudes and relationships or this generation but the Kingdom takes it to a new level.  I believe that no one can have the kind of family relationships they dream of without a revelation of Abba and who they are in Him.  In Ephesians 3:14-15 the Holy Spirit through Paul says, "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name..."  It is from the Father that all family comes from and it is in knowing our name, that we can experience what the next verses talk about.  The next verses talk about experiencing the height, depth, width, and breadth of the love of Christ.  I believe Abba's heart is that we experience here on earth "heavenly families" because the original design of families was smashed and damaged by sin's entrance into the Garden.  I believe that the finished work of Christ has restored family and even expanded it, not only do we have the potential to have life-giving, honoring. loving, and alive biological families but we can be connected to the greater family of God (His Kingdom family of all those "in Christ).   When there is a Body of believers who walk in God's ways as His children and relate to each other through Kingdom values (based on what Jesus has done), then this becomes a transformational community that impact all those who come into to contact with them.  Unfortunately too many Body of believers are not functioning in God's grace towards one another but in a lower level of life which is based on the flesh and fleshly values.  A culture of grace is empowered and equipped to deal with people's mistakes in an environment of hope, restoration, personal responsibility, and freedom.  The Word says that in James 2:13 that, "...mercy triumphs over judgment.", which  in essence says that to exalt over or to be higher than.  Thus judgment is a reality of the natural world that is active and operational but mercy (flowing from Christ on the cross) is more powerful and life-giving that judgment or justice.  A culture of grace in a family would be a place where the very life of God (Zoe) could be displayed and even give others a taste of Heaven.  People in our society are longing for authentic, transformational, and life-giving Christianity (re-presenting Jesus) not the form of fleshly living that is often displayed.  This is another mark of the Millenials they are looking not for Jesus in church or institutions but are interested in people who are authentic, transparent, have integrity, and really care about them (sounds like Jesus).  In other words Millenials are not interested in Religion but would be drawn to a people who are authentically living out "the life of Christ".  The Body of Christ has been truly made a family through what God has done "in Christ" not through our programs, our effort, or the next leadership trend.

In His Family,
Bret