Blackstone Church of Christ

By Seldon Smith

In a world where relationships between Americans, neighbors, and friends often face strain and division, it’s more important than ever to nurture and cherish the bonds we share with our families. This includes not just our immediate family, but also our in-laws, especially those who walk alongside us in faith. As members of the church, we are called to a higher standard of love and unity.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on the importance of loving our in-laws, fostering harmony, and strengthening the ties that bind us together as one community in Christ. Here's why embracing our in-laws with open hearts and minds can make a profound difference in our lives and the lives of those around us.

The Bible emphasizes love, respect, and kindness towards others, including family members and fellow believers. Here are some scriptural references that address these principles:

1. Love and Kindness:
   • Matthew 22:39: "And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" This commandment extends to all relationships, including in-laws.
   • Ephesians 4:32: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." This verse encourages kindness and forgiveness, essential for harmonious relationships.
2. Respect and Honor:
   • Exodus 20:12: "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." While this commandment is directed at one's own parents, the principle of honoring and respecting family members can be extended to in-laws.
   • Romans 12:10: "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." This verse encourages mutual respect and honor within the Christian community.
3. Unity and Peace:
   • Romans 12:18: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." This verse calls for making every effort to maintain peace in relationships.
   • Colossians 3:12-15: "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."
4. Avoiding Hatred and Malice:
   • 1 John 4:20-21: "Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister."
   • Ephesians 4:31: "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice."
5. Reconciliation and Forgiveness:
   • Matthew 18:21-22: "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'"
   • Matthew 5:23-24: "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift."

These scriptures collectively encourage believers to treat their in-laws and all members of the church with love, respect, kindness, and forgiveness, striving for peace and unity in all relationships.

Introduction: This message explores a profound truth: the life we are called to live in Christ is one marked not merely by adherence to rules, but by the transformative power of love, liberty, and the fruit of the Spirit. It is vital that we understand the difference between the old covenant of the Law, given through the Ten Commandments, and the new covenant of grace, love, and the Spirit, revealed through Jesus Christ.

The Law and Its Purpose: The Ten Commandments, part of the Levitical Law, were given to the Israelites as a moral and ceremonial code (Exodus 20). These commandments served a crucial purpose—to reveal God’s holy standard and to show humanity its need for a Savior. The Law acted as a guardian, leading us to Christ (Galatians 3:24). However, the Law was never intended to be the final destination for God’s people. It was a temporary measure, pointing forward to the coming of the Messiah, who would fulfill the Law and establish a new covenant.

Jesus’ Fulfillment of the Law: Jesus Himself made it clear that He did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). In Him, the requirements of the Law are met, and through His sacrifice, we are no longer under the Law, but under grace (Romans 6:14). The focus shifts from rigid obedience to external commandments to a heart transformed by the love of Christ. This transformation is evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit, as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

The Greatest Commandment: Jesus summarized the Law in a powerful way when He was asked about the greatest commandment. He said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40).

Here, Jesus shifts the focus from external compliance to internal transformation. Love is the fulfillment of the Law (Romans 13:10). When we love God and love others, we naturally live in a way that pleases God and reflects His character to the world.

The Liberty of the Spirit: Brothers and sisters, it is crucial that we do not neglect the liberty we have in Christ. Galatians 5:1 reminds us, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” This liberty is not a license to sin but a call to live in the freedom of the Spirit, producing fruit that glorifies God.

Neglecting this liberty, or failing to live out the love and grace of Christ, is equivalent to rejecting Him. We cannot claim to belong to Christ and yet live as though we are still bound by the old covenant. To do so is to deny the power of His resurrection and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit within us.

Living Out Our Faith: James 1:22 exhorts us to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” True Christianity is not merely about knowing Scripture but living it out daily. We are called to embody the love of Christ, showing compassion, kindness, and forgiveness, just as He has shown to us. The world needs to see the love of Christ in us—not just in our words, but in our actions.

Conclusion: As we go forth from this place, let us remember that we are called to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). This light shines not through rigid adherence to the Law but through the love and liberty we have in Christ. Let us boldly show the world what true Christianity is—an outpouring of the fruit of the Spirit, a life marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

May we be a living testimony to the transformative power of Christ, reflecting His love to a world in desperate need of it. Amen.