I was always taught that family is important. It’s a place to belong, of security. In a family there is conflict. We can disagree, but there’s no getting away for the fact of family.

We have our natural, physical family, consisting of parents and siblings, and extending to aunts, uncles, and cousins. We include those who are adopted legally and those who we claim in love. We include those who marry into the family.

Family

(a.) a basic social unit consisting of parents and their children, whether dwelling together or not
(b.) a social unity consisting of one or more adults together with the children they care for

Any group of persons closely related by blood, as parents, children, uncles, aunts, and cousins

All those persons considered as descendants of a common progenitor (ancestor, predecessor, model)

There is another family we sometimes overlook. It is more important, closer, and more permanent than the physical family. In fact, this family is eternal. We who trust in Jesus are related by blood. His blood spent for us for the forgiveness of sin. We are descendants of a common predecessor who is our model for being. At belief, we are welcomed into the body of Christ—the family of believers.

John 1:12 tells us that everyone who receives Jesus, who believes in his name, is given the right to become a child of God

Ephesians 2:19-22 says we are no longer strangers and aliens, but fellow citizens and members of the household of God.

From Romans 12:5, we are one body in Christ, each individual a member of the family.

2 Corinthians 12:26 says, just as in natural families, when one member suffers, all suffer together. If one member is honored, all rejoice together.

1 Corinthians 6:17 But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.

Just as physical family members often look and act differently from one another, our Christian family members look and act differently. Some of our Christian family may be hard to love, just as some of those in our physical family. In the physical family, the bond is from a common ancestor. Often we depend on a grandparent’s wisdom to mediate disagreements. Family first. We love each other because we are family.

Our Christian family springs from one common predecessor. Our roots, our heritage, the bond holding us together, springs from Jesus Christ. In differences of opinion, we must rely on his word—God first before self-interest.

We don't leave our physical family when we are adopted into God's family, although we often begin to behave differently. Sometimes this change invites ridicule or persecution, but it's a change that can't be denied. It is passed through the blood-line of Christ.