Jesus is our example in all things. He was the light of this world. And we, as His followers, are also entitled to shine as lights in our family. God arrange for Jesus to spend the first thirty years of His earthly life in two places basically – His home and His place of work.
See how Jesus Christ lived His life at peace with His family. We are His called to witness the Gospel, which our family members are the first group to hear, believe our message, and imitate us.
I will talk more about how God wants us to live our life with our family in this post later. But before then, let me open your eyes through the scripture.
Acts 16:31-34
31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately, he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now, when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.
One common observation is that in some homes, you find only one person who is born again. There are homes also that everyone is born again; but sadly, that is rare.
That is not how God intended things to be. From the time of Noah and Abraham, God has affirmed His commitment to saving people by families.
For example, God’s testimony of Abraham was that he would teach all his household the ways of the Lord. Joshua pledged that as for him and his house, they would serve the Lord.
There is enough evidence to show that the salvation of entire families is not impossible. In our culture, we have erroneously said that in every house, there is an odd person.
That person is supposed to bring trouble to everyone. Because of that belief, this continues to happen in many homes. That statement is not from the Holy Spirit, and we must desist from confessing it.
The truth about salvation in households is also evidenced in the above New Testament narrative. A Philippian jailor accepts Christ, and he leads his family and home to follow suit.
This is a blessing every born-again person must claim for his/her family. Getting your family to be saved may not happen overnight, but for as long as you persevere in prayer for them, it will happen. God is still honoring prayers made for families to be saved.
Prayer
- Thank God that He is still saving by families, and that includes your family.
- Pray fervently that your family will come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
- Father, please let the spirit of repentance fall on my family members.