All in the Family

Genesis 12:3 (Amplified Bible) - "And I will bless those who bless you [who confer prosperity or happiness upon you] and curse him who curses {or} uses insolent language toward you; in you will all the families {and} kindred of the earth be blessed [and by you they will bless themselves]."

If you are over 50 years old, you may remember the 1970's hit TV comedy, All in the Family, depicting a so-called typical blue collar family from New York City.  Who can forget the head of the house, Archie Bunker, extremely outspoken, stubborn, and very opinionated.  Or is loving, naive wife, Edith, or their daughter Gloria, equally outspoken on the opposite side of the political spectrum…or her husband who you might only remember as Meathead, affectionately named by his father-in-law.

In Genesis 12:2, the author of the book, Moses, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit shares with us one of the most powerful principles in the Bible.  "In you" all the families and kindred of the earth shall be blessed.  He is speaking of Abram (meaning exalted father), and later renamed Abraham (father of many).

You see, from Genesis to Exodus 19:8, people were blessed because they were born a Jew, being "born right".  From Exodus 19:8 until recorded in the gospel of Matthew, people were blessed because they "performed right".  From Matthew until today, we are blessed because we are "positioned right" or made in right standing with God.

Romans 8:4 says, "That the righteous and just requirement of the law might be fully met…", now here's the key, "in us".  In Christ, we are now born right, and we have right position, Jesus has become your perfect performance of the law.  Galatians 3:29 says, "And if you belong to Christ [are in Him Who is Abraham's Seed], then you are Abraham's offspring and [spiritual] heirs according to promise".

Wow, this means that when you received Jesus Christ, you became Abram's offspring.  So, what am I saying?  By you receiving Jesus, Abram's offspring, YOUR family, your children, your grand children, your relatives, ALL in the family are blessed and highly favored!

Kindred simply means "one's relatives, all family relationships".  So, don't despair, don't worry, don't fear, don't stress anymore.  Your whole family is "greatly blessed". Tell your relatives that because of Jesus, the Seed of Abraham, they are blessed.  Our church family is greatly blessed, all in the family is greatly blessed.  Hallelujah!