Who among you...

[MoreMercy]

Who among you is my mother or is my brother ?

Jesus said that, if you don't know where this is said by Him it is in Matthew 12:46-50.
I desire to show my self approved by knowing what Jesus is saying here, can or will any of you share with me the meaning and/or its eternal implications, please ?


Father bless.

[-SEEKING-]

Matthew 12:46-50 "46 While He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. 47 Someone said to Him, "Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You." 48 But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, "Who is My mother and who are My brothers?" 49 And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, "Behold My mother and My brothers! 50 "For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother." - NASB

I think Jesus Himself answered right in verse 50.

[Nomad]

Jesus didn't mean any disrespect toward his family after the flesh. He merely took the opportunity to point out three very important things.

1. The business of his Heavenly Father took priority over his earthly relations.

2. Spiritual relationships are just as important as physical relations, if not more so.

3. As has been pointed out already, those who do the will of the Father can be confident of their spiritual relationship with Christ.

[MoreMercy]

Thank you both for the answers.

Does anyone care to give an example of how to apply this in servitude to Christ, with those around us who may or may not be claimed by Him as His brother or mother.
Or better said: those who show evidence of being His brother or mother, and those who show no evidence of being His mother or brother, how do we apply our servitude to Christ body with both ?

Which do we separate ourselves from.
Which do we laybor in His fields with.


Thank you again, Father bless.

[Nomad]

Can you rephrase your question I'm not exactly sure what you're asking. Thanks.

[MoreMercy]

Sorry,
If He claims some as his brethren, dependent upon observable evidence/fruit that they do follow Him.
Then do we take note of that and....
Within the body of Christ (the church) do we keep ourselves separate from the ones who show no evidence/fruit. And, serve and work with the others who do show evidence/fruit ?

How do we apply within the church, what He teaches here in Matt 12 ?


Father bless.

[Diggindeeper]

I hope I understand what you are saying, and that this will offer some insight as to my way of thinking.........

Just as in our earthly families, even if they are not a believer, but we most certainly are...they are still our blood relatives. We don't just forsake them and abandon them. What if someone had an unbelieving elderly mother! Surely you don't think we should abandon her and let her starve or be without care because she is not a Christian.

In the same manner, MoreMercy, you are my brother in Christ. We are both in the family bought by the blood of Christ Jesus. But, I would never abandon you or turn my back to you if you were NOT a Christian, not one who does the will of the Father.

Although it is with my brothers and sisters (family) in Christ that I would labor together to meet the needs of those who are not in Christ.

There are some exceptions...for example, if I know someone who is not a believer and yet, they are trying to gather some groceries to give to a family in need of food, I will definitely give of my food freely. I would hand it over to the person who is not a Christian so they could give the food to the people in need.

This is a simple example, I know. But I don't believe we are to pick and choose whether or not (in all cases) to work with someone who does not believe JUST LIKE WE DO. Wouldn't that make us awfully arrogant, and a respecter of certain people, if we only choose to work with those who are believers, just like us?

[MoreMercy]

Hi Diggindeeper, God bless you.

I agree 100% and a big Amen, that is where my heart is (with those who do not confess Christ as their Lord)

But what of the ones who do confess Him as Lord, but show no evidence that they do indeed abide/follow Him.

Do we separate ourselves from ones who claim to be christian but show no evidence of disciplining themselves to Him ?
Do we still serve them and/or do we still laybor in His fields with them ?


Father bless.

[Nomad]

Sorry,
If He claims some as his brethren, dependent upon observable evidence/fruit that they do follow Him.
Then do we take note of that and....
Within the body of Christ (the church) do we keep ourselves separate from the ones who show no evidence/fruit. And, serve and work with the others who do show evidence/fruit ?

How do we apply within the church, what He teaches here in Matt 12 ?


Father bless.

I don't think Jesus meant for his teaching in Matt. 12 to be used to make that kind of division within his body. There is a Biblical basis for what you're asking, but I don't see Jesus addressing that here in Matt. 12. What you're referring to may be more a matter of 'discenment.' In other words, you will know a tree by its fruit. Something like that would need to be considered on a case by case basis and with much caution.

[MoreMercy]

Thank you Nomad, but before you settle yourself into that conclusion and rest, I would read the entire chapter one or two more times.


God bless you.

[Diggindeeper]

I think we cannot be so legalistic and judgmental about people either. It seems important to me to always remember that people are at different stages in their walk with Christ. We all don't walk in the same amount of light. Some walk in much more light than others. Who knows, you may be the very one that gives them more light in their walk!

Some may walk in as much darkness as their light. But, as they grow in knowledge and wisdom of the Word, they walk in more and more light.

Who are we to pick and choose who has more light? Our duty would be to help them gain more light. Also, they may have more light in different areas than we do.

[MoreMercy]

Thank you again Diggindeeper, God bless your gentle and trusting spirit.

But do we, or do you serve one who confess to be His disciple but does not practice discipleship to Him ?
Do we serve ones who show no evidence/fruit.

My question is not do we serve those who are young or immature in Christ, my question is: do we serve those who have either fooled themselves or attempt to fool others that they follow/disciple themselves to Christ. (do we serve those who show no fruit/evidence) ?


Thank you again, Father bless.

[Nomad]

Thank you Nomad, but before you settle yourself into that conclusion and rest, I would read the entire chapter one or two more times.


God bless you.

No, I'm settled. I'm not really talking about the entire chapter. My answer is based on the pericope under consideration, (vss. 46-50), where there is a clear division of topic. Like I mentioned, there is a Biblical basis for careful discernment within the body of Christ, but Jesus just doesn't address that issue in Matt. 12:46-50. There, his point to those who interrupted his teaching is clear. See the three points I presented in my first post.

[Diggindeeper]

Do you mean, like serve UNDER them?

You see, as far as who we choose to serve with in our working or walking in the kingdom, I see that Christ Jesus was selective with those who He chose to work (and walk) with Him. But yet, he was able to see ahead. These apparently had great potential! He did not serve under them, but WITH them.

I have to give thanks to God that my husband and I have a Pastor whose heart is sincerely after God. He is a man who studies all the time. visits the sick, has a heart to feed those in need of food, lead others to Christ...he is deserving that we serve under him and his leadership because he is a Godly example. But, we do differ on things I consider minor...like timing of the rapture. But, from all I know of him (and his family!), he is as King David was...a man after God's own heart.

As for your question: "do we serve those who have either fooled themselves or attempt to fool others that they follow/disciple themselves to Christ. (do we serve those who show no fruit/evidence) ?"

I am not meant to be their judge........and I will not set myself up as their judge. Nor jury. I mean, how would we know? Do you mean, for example, one who preaches from the pulpit that we are not to commit adultery, and yet that one, we know, is in an adulterous affair?

We are to judge righteous judgment....and not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to.

John 7:24
Judge not according to the appearance, but Judge righteous judgment.

Romans 12:3
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

[MoreMercy]

No, I'm settled. I'm not really talking about the entire chapter. My answer is based on the pericope under consideration, (vss. 46-50), where there is a clear division of topic. Like I mentioned, there is a Biblical basis for careful discernment within the body of Christ, but Jesus just doesn't address that issue in Matt. 12:46-50. There, his point to those who interrupted his teaching is clear. See the three points I presented in my first post.

Thank you, I agree 100% with the three points you offered in your OP.

But, If He claims some as his brethren, dependent upon observable evidence/fruit that they do follow Him.
Then do we take note of that and....
Within the body of Christ (the church) do we keep ourselves separate from the ones who show no evidence/fruit.
And, serve and work with the others who do show evidence/fruit ?

How do we apply within our lives, what He teaches here in Matt 12 ?

Not meaning those who are babes in Christ but meaning the obvious pretenders, the ones who do not disciple themselves to Christ.
Note also, not judging their salvation, just discerning who to fellowship with, minister to or with, yoke myself to or with.
Last note, also not meaning those who do NOT confess Christ as their Lord, but meaning those who DO confess, but give no evidence of being His disciple in their life lived (the pretenders).


Father bless.