Passage: Mark 3:31-35
What is required to us to be considered part of God’s family? What did Jesus say was the defining characteristic of one of his brothers or sisters? We might think that it is faith, but that is not what Jesus said. Jesus, clearly and directly equates obedience to God as the defining mark of a child of God. By now, it should go without saying that Jesus is not telling us that we are saved by obedience. But he is saying that the fruit of one who is truly a follower of Jesus and claims to be saved is obedience to the revealed will of God. How do you and I measure up to this standard? We will consider this question and others as we take a closer look at Jesus’ teaching on being part of his family.