Moving Forward Without Them

This is the way we know our brothers and sisters in Christ. We do not know them because of their good deeds we know them because of their Christ-like character He has changed them into.

Those who walk in the Spirit can discern those who do not belong to God even if they claim to be Christian. And, those who walk in the Spirit can discern those who are their authentic brothers and sisters. Christ binds us together, a permanent bond that we will share forever.

We know how strong the bond of a natural family can be just because those born into it have the same blood. Even when things are toxic often the members remain with one another, a sort of safe place even if it is not good or pleasant.

The born-again family of God based on His Word is far stronger than the blood bonds of the earthly family. Our blood bond is that of Jesus Christ Who died for us and knit us together as His children. This is the new family and the permanent family we gained when we became born-again.

Those who were born to our natural family are only counted as our family if they have also become born-again authentically. Those who are pretenders are not our family. We have nothing in common with them that binds us together.

Luke 21:15-17 "…15 For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death. 17 And you will be hated by everyone because of My name.…"

Matthew 7:15-20

You Will Know Them by Their Fruits

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

16 You will know them by their fruit. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?

17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them."

Galatians 5:22-23

"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

"4 Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant.

5 It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered,

6 it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

8a Love never fails; "

Believers need to cut ties with those in families who have rejected Christ only serving to continually pummel them for their love of Christ.

2 Corinthians 6:16-18 "…16 What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” 17“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” 18 And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”…"

Do not remain in bondage to earthly family systems who seek to destroy your faith, end it and keep moving forward.