Devo Week 16

Abraham, Father of Many Nations -- The Incarnational Way

Sometimes the deepest truths are the simplest and most obvious. Family is God's idea, beginning in Genesis and continuing until the end of time. Family is the common denominator of all nations or peoples. Family is God's strategy to spread His glory to all the earth. It is the incarnational way of the Kingdom.

"I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Gen. 12:3, ESV)

Key Concept: Family and the Incarnational Way

Do not underestimate the role of family. Things look different through the eyes of a child. It is a very humble perspective that we should never outgrow or lose. It is through the eyes of a child that we see the Kingdom of God. (Matt. 18:4) Through humility we can learn from others and share life together. It was through incarnation that God came to earth. The end goal of the Kingdom of God, however, is not to stay a child, but rather to grow into maturity. As the apostle Paul said, we teach to bring everyone to 'maturity in Christ.' (Col. 1:28)

It is quite interesting that Jesus was given the title as an 'everlasting father.' (Is. 9:6) The normal progression within a family is child, young adult and father. The goal is to reach the maturity of a father or mother. The goal of discipleship is not simply conversion, but maturity. This was the charge that God gave to Abraham, 'to be a father to many nations.' The incarnational way is to become like a child, but also to grow into the maturity of a father and mother. In this way, all the families of the earth will be blessed.

Don't miss the reality of the Kingdom in your midst through family. As we mature and train others in maturity, the glory of God shall fill the earth. Our spiritual maturity is a process which should parallel our physical maturity. The incarnational way should lead to maturity in Christ. Family can influence relationally all areas of life.

Fathers and mothers are concerned with loving, teaching, providing and protecting. These are God-given roles that have been instilled among all nations. We must guard the role of family and not neglect the power of its influence. The first call of a follower of Jesus inspired by the Holy Spirit is "Abba father." (Rom. 8:15) I remember our daughter’s first words were "Da da" then "Ma ma," as she turned and looked at her mom. Family words are the first words in the Kingdom!

As fathers and mothers, we must train our families, and with the same care, we are to disciple all nations. We are to disciple them in the ways of God and the character of Christ. (Col. 1:28) As we teach our own families and teach others, spiritual maturity will promote righteousness among all nations.

My exhortation is to not neglect or diminish the role of family as you follow the ways of the Lord. The wineskin of family is the chosen vessel to reveal God's glory to all nations. The earth is groaning for God's family among all nations. (Rom. 8:19)

Key Word Definition: Incarnational (adjective)

-- embodied in flesh or taking on flesh.
-- the doctrine that the second person of the Trinity assumed human form in the person of Jesus Christ and is completely both God and man.

Excerpt from Devotional 16 with highlighted word:

“In the fullness of time, God Himself took on human flesh with roots, entering the world as a baby inside a family system. This is the incarnational way of the Kingdom -- God’s greatest expression of love for humanity, becoming one of us and dwelling among us.”

Scripture: Genesis 17:4

“As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations.”

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(Photo: Blake's son Caleb with Akha grandmother, Northern Thailand)