Family of the Redeemed

April 6

What does it take to become a member of a prestigious family? Certainly, the rare one among us might be born into a family of note. But there are not many of us whose surname is Rockefeller or Gates. A fortunate few might marry well and thereby become a member of a famous clan.

Most of us will, no matter how well-heeled we may become from a financial standpoint, remain among the obscure. Oh, we might be considered of some import among our immediate circle of family or friends or business associates, but beyond our neighborhood or our local community, few will know our name.

So, what does it take to become a part of God’s family of the redeemed? How can we assure a place for ourselves among those who will spend eternity in heaven? We can’t marry into heaven’s glory or work our way into the upper echelons of the eternal. We cannot earn God’s favor or a place by His Throne.

In Luke 8:21, Jesus offers the way to relationship. He says, “My mother and My brothers are those who hear and do the word of God.” We hear God’s plan of salvation through the shed blood of Jesus and we receive Him as Savior to implement His plan to become God's own child--a member of the family of the redeemed.