Relatives and Relations: Family, and Love in God’s Household

From the first family in Eden to the household of faith, Scripture presents relatives as both a gift and a calling. Family ties shape identity, carry responsibility, and ultimately point toward the wider family God gathers in Christ. Family is the foundation stone of society. God established this principle at creation for our good, so that we all have relatives (Gen 2:18; Ps 68:6).

Relatives in the Old Testament

In ancient Israel, identity was woven through family, clan, and tribe. Relatives were not optional connections; they carried legal and moral weight. When a family fell into debt or lost its inheritance, the kinsman-redeemer stepped in to buy back land, free a relative from slavery, or even marry a widow to preserve the family line (Lev 25:25). The book of Ruth turns this duty into a love story: Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s late husband, redeems Ruth and restores the family name (Ruth 3:9, 4:14).

Jesus and the New Family of God

Jesus did not reject biological family, but He redefined family ties around obedience to God. When His mother and brothers came looking for Him, He gestured to His disciples and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother" (Mt 12:48-50; Mk 3:31-35). From the cross He entrusted Mary to John, creating a new bond of care (Jn 19:26-27). The early church took this to heart, calling one another —brothers and sisters — and welcoming outsiders into a household where God was Father (Rom 8:15).

Obedience to God makes a person a true relative in Christ

Relatives in Marriage

One key to a happy marriage is to accept and relate well to your spouse’s family (in-laws). Respect them as people, even if you don’t or can’t embrace their values or lifestyle; if it wasn’t for them, you wouldn’t have their child as your spouse! Thank God for your relatives and pray for them.

Living as Relatives in the Church

If believers are family, then the church must act like one. Paul urged Christians to do good especially to the household of faith (Gal 6:10). James insisted that pure religion includes caring for widows and orphans in distress (Jas 1:27). Timothy was taught that refusing to provide for relatives was a denial of the faith (1 Tim 5:8). These instructions assume that spiritual relatives share food, money, time, and loyalty.

Yet conflict and estrangement between members occurs in many families through criticism, rivalry, bitterness, un-forgiveness, favouritism, and self-centeredness, as well as antagonism from those who are not Christians. Those who claim Christ’s name should live righteous lives, not returning evil for evil but overcoming evil with good (Mt 10:36; Rom 12:17; Tit 2:8; 1 Pet 3:9,16).

We are to live by the 'rules' of the heavenly family

Reflection and Application:

Thank God for the relatives he has placed in your life, and pray for them by name.
Ask whether you are acting as a kinsman-redeemer toward family members in need.
Consider how your church can better care for widows, orphans, and struggling believers.
Choose to treat in-laws and spiritual brothers and sisters with the honour due to family.