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In a family its not what you believe but who you are that counts.. Its not about how smart you are(that you believe this or that) but who in essence you are(born again) that counts..

Many heretics and apostics and cult members may be born again.. since its not about what you believe.. but whom you are.. Some people are not too smart and/or naieve.. and believe strange things compared to to each other..

Thats why Jesus said love God and be "nice" to your neighbor, I think.. We might be living with some of them for eternity.. Even though we labeled them as ugh strange.. and cultic.. God forbid we put a stumbling block before them..

They might stupid but born again.. and are our brother or sister..

In a family its not what you believe but who you are that counts.. Its not about how smart you are(that you believe this or that) but who in essence you are(born again) that counts..

Just catching up, hard to stay current.

FWIW, it is our belief that makes us members of the family. IOW, first you must believe THE GOSPEL and have faith in Jesus to be a member of this family.

I fully agree that members of this family are found in all types of assemblies.

Thank you all so very much for sharing your insights! And thank you, Quix, for those wonderful urls!

hosepipe: In a family its not what you believe but who you are that counts..

Indeed. And perfect heavenly Father that He is, He is raising us up in this heaven and earth so that we will be prepared to live together with God forever as members of His family in the new heaven and earth.

That is the meaning of life - both mortal life and spiritual life. It is also the panorama of Scripture, Genesis to Revelation and His Name, Alpha and Omega.

Jesus explained it to everyone, i.e. that the true family is of God, not man. His is not a family born of the flesh but of the Spirit.

While he yet talked to the people, behold, [his] mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. – Matthew 12:46-50

And again,

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. - John 1:12-13

His adopted children are born of Him – not by anything physical or by the will of man.

We are adopted children by the will of God alone. In our journey here on earth, He is raising us as if we were little children – toddlers, really.

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. - Romans 8:15

He is truly our Father who art in heaven. He is loving and patient with us. He is perfect.

When we misbehave, He spanks us. When we are about to toddle into extreme danger, He rescues us. Sometimes He lets us touch a hot stove – if we are too pigheaded to heed His warning and must touch it to know it is hot. He picks us up when we cry out to Him. And when we think we don’t need Him, He lets us try to do it on our own – and we fail. When we get hurt, he makes it all better. He gives us ice cream and He also gives us spinach.

And when we need to be brought to our personal “Red Sea” experience, He sees it done.

Children do not learn by living in a bubble. How would they know light if they had never seen darkness? Good without evil? Health without sickness? Peace without anxiety? Heat without cold? Courage without fear? Success without failure? And so on.

All of these things - Light as well as darkness, Good as well as evil – all of it – reveals God to us through contrast - and prepares us to become members of His family. This heaven and earth is for our sake, for the children's sake.

Truly, God is the perfect Father. He loves us as a Father loves his children, tough love when we need it, gentle love when we need it.

God is Love. God is Good. Truly Good, not just "feel good." He does not change. We do.

He didn’t need this heaven and earth, we did.

When we know His perfect Fatherly love --- unearned love as .30Carbine describes it --- we are not gripped by fear.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. – I John 4:18-19

Every step along the way moves us closer to the promise, even the steps that hurt.

Maranatha, Jesus!!!