ADELPHOI

I have recently been doing some reading on the father/child relationship we can have with God.

During my studies last week, I came across the Greek word, “adelphoi.” This word is used throughout the New Testament to address believers. Depending on the version, it is translated to “friends” (NRSV), “brethren” (NKJV), or “brothers and sisters” (NIV) and refers to men and women in God’s family (The Maxwell Leadership Bible, 2018).

When Claudia and I got married, our relationship was not isolated. When we entered into a husband/wife relationship, we also entered into an in-law relationship with each other’s families (for better or for worse). Similarly, our relationship with God is not isolated. When we enter into father/child relationship with God, we also into a brother/sister relationship with other followers of Christ (the capital-C Church).

Both relationships can have their challenges. One of the things that I have been writing about is how we can unknowingly associate the characteristics of our earthly father with those of our Heavenly Father. In addition to this, our imperfect siblings can sometimes (or most times) act nothing like our perfect Father.

For you, is it easier to relate to the father/child relationship with God or the brother/sister relationship with the Church?