The Divine Family
W. Anderson, LL. D. Ephesians 3:15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, Pride of family — the assumption of consequence because of descent from eminent progenitors, is a feeling by which the bosoms of many are very powerfully influenced. If a man is worthy himself, a lineage of worthy ancestry invests him with additional honour. A wicked Jew appears only more odious when we reflect how degenerated he is, as descended from Abraham; but in the same proportion does a believing Jew appear venerable, as being a son of the father of the faithful. Alas! that there should be so many, assuming the Christian name. who have no inward consciousness of any nobility, in the strength of which they may take their stand and vindicate their claim to respect. So felt Nathan before David, so felt Elijah before Ahab, so felt Daniel before the king of Babylon, so felt Peter before the Sanhedrim, so felt Paul before Felix, and so felt Luther, and Knox, and Melville, and all the noble company of martyrs, before their respective judges. The consciousness of their being members of the family of God inspired them with courage and intrepidity in bearing witness for truth and right. I. Brethren, reflect: THE FAMILY OF GOD! How august the parentage! How great the honour, to be hailed as a son or daughter of the King of kings! The Indians of Mexico, alive to this deep debasement of the human family, looked upwards for an ancestry of which they might boast, and dignified themselves with the appellation of "the children of the sun." What a rebuke the idolatry of those noble-minded savages administers to many among ourselves, who are satisfied with a birth so mean as that on account of which they assume such airs of consequence! II. The question, therefore, now arises, HOW IS THIS HAPPY SENTIMENT OF FILIAL INTEREST IN GOD TO BE PRODUCED AND CHERISHED IN THE SOUL? One might suppose it would be effected easily. Is not God our Creator? Is not every movement of life sustained by His providence? What, then, is so natural for man as that he should regard Him with filial affection and interest? Nevertheless, there is nothing on all the earth so rare. Yes; the wide experience of the soul of man proves, that solid peace and delight in God are attainable, only when He is contemplated as the giver of His Son, constituted under whom as our Mediatorial Head, it is consistent for the Divine government to manifest for us a Father's affection. III. Having thus considered the constitution of the family, I proceed to state and illustrate briefly A FEW OF ITS CHARACTERISTICS. 1. Reflect, then, on the largeness of this family. The multitude and power of their kindred usually form a subject of boasting among worldly men. How much greater reason has the Christian to felicitate himself on this head! Our text distinguishes two departments of the family, to be ultimately consolidated into one. The first is that part which at present resides in heaven. It consists, primarily, of thousands of thousands of angels. Whether you have no friends on earth, or whether those whom you have be of such a character, that you are ashamed to acknowledge them, let the thought of your angel-brethren animate you with a feeling of family consequence. Next to the angels, the heavenly department of the family is composed of the departed saints. What an innumerable company! When thy spirit is ready to grow faint with the thought of the wickedness of thy neighbours, and to complain as if thou wert left alone, and that the reward of the travail of His soul had failed the Redeemer, look on high, and behold that multitude, which, without needing that any more be added to it, is already so great that no man can number it! Whatever may be thy suspicions of the present generation, suspect not the history of the past, as if it were all a fable, when it records the achievements of the spirit of God; but, especially, suspect not the faithfulness to his memorial of Him who is the Blesser of children. 2. Reflect on the fairness and beauty of the family of God. A family may be large, when it is yet a disgrace, instead of an honour, to be a member of it, from its being so ill-favoured and ill-conditioned. But all God's children are fair. I speak of Divine beauty — the beauty of holiness. But I make the claim also on behalf of the department of the family on earth, and that universally. Some are fairer than others; and the fairest have some remains of the bad complexion, the sinister looks, and the deformed person of their original nature. Nevertheless, generally, all are fair. There is not an ugly, unlovely child in all God's family. If there be in anyone something offensive, there is more that is attractive. All of them have been born anew, and bear the lineaments of their heavenly parentage. 3. Reflect that this family is one of great prospects and high destiny. Oh! your worldling — your nobleman, your wealthy merchant, your philosopher, your fine singer, your fine dancer, your favourite of the beautiful face and elegant form — what and where shall they all be but a few years hence? What a foolish loss it is to lavish your admiration, respect, and favour on what is so evanescent! There is no loss like the losing of love: to expend years of affection on objects which pass away from you and perish. Love that which will be to you an object of love forever: and such objects you will find in the members of the family of God. (W. Anderson, LL. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, WEB: from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,