For God's people, the Feast of Tabernacles is a cherished time of joy, deeply rooted in its family-oriented nature. It offers a unique week-long celebration for families to unite in anticipation of the coming wonderful world and the full spiritual reality in the Kingdom of God. As one spiritual family, whether married or single, we revel in this special relationship as members of the household of God. The Feast provides essential spiritual nourishment through concentrated fellowship with our physical families and our greater spiritual family, giving us much to rejoice about in this awesome family bond. Being together with God the Father, Jesus Christ our elder brother, and our spiritual brothers and sisters offers an uplifting foretaste of the millennium and God's Kingdom. In Ephesians 2:19, Paul illustrates that true Christians are not only fellow citizens with the saints but also members of the household of God, highlighting a progression in privilege and unity. This concept of family, introduced earlier in Ephesians, emphasizes that as born-from-above believers, we are children of God, promised complete legal adoption into His family. This intimate relationship surpasses the general bond of citizenship in a state, narrowing down to a specific, personal connection within the family of God. Unlike the external unity of a state, family unity is internal, characterized by an inner bond that needs no elaboration. The relationship within a state is often impersonal and remote, whereas in the family of God, it is intensely personal and immediate. This personal bond counters the depersonalizing tendencies of the world, affirming that God's church is a personalized family, not merely a corporation or business. Paul advances this thought in Ephesians 2:19, showing that the family relationship is a vital, living bond, far more intimate than any legal or general connection in a state. As members of the household of God, we belong to His family, a vital aspect of salvation. God elevates us to the dignity of children through His grace, adopting us into His own family. This relationship is only possible through Jesus Christ, as there is no belonging to God's family apart from Him. All Christians are united in this household, with no divisions, sharing the same access to God the Father through Christ. The privileges of this family position are profound. God is our Father, the everlasting and supreme God of all existence, always ready to receive us with undivided attention, no matter how small our concerns. As children of God, we have a direct, intimate relationship with Him, assured by His loving concern for every detail of our lives. Additionally, our relationship with Christ, the Firstborn among many brethren, establishes Him as our spiritual brother, sharing a family bond that promises shared glory and inheritance. This position in God's family carries responsibilities. As members of the household of God, we must produce good fruit and reflect the righteousness of Christ, glorifying our Father through our actions. Our behavior as children of God proclaims His nature to the world, requiring us to act in ways worthy of our Father's name. God's faithfulness demands a loyal and faithful response from us, mirroring the sincerity and truth expected in our service to Him. Thus, we are called to live not as mere servants, but as personalized members of God's family, fully embracing the glory and dignity of this intimate relationship.

When we are called into the Kingdom of God, we are like new immigrants in a foreign land. Our baptism parallels taking an oath of citizenship, where we pledge allegiance to our new homeland under Christ as King. Emerging from the waters of baptism, with hands laid upon us, we are considered citizens of heaven, yet we remain as infants in understanding and conformity to God's way of life. Like immigrants, we still bear the marks of our old ways, carrying the accent and habits of the past. It requires a lifetime of transformation to adopt the traits of the godly, to reflect the image of Jesus Christ Whom we are to emulate. Conversion is a complete turnaround, initiated and sustained by God's grace. It is a total shift from self-seeking to humility, from sinful ways to childlike trust and submission to Him. This transformation is not something we can achieve on our own; only God has the power to turn us around and set us on the path to His Kingdom. Conversion involves both a change of mind and a change in conduct, turning from old loyalties to serve the true and living God through our actions and obedience. This process of conversion is ongoing, with episodes throughout our lives where we must be reconverted. We often stray, requiring us to turn back to the right way through God's guidance. Even as citizens of heaven, we may fall into specific sins or wrong paths, needing restoration in particular areas. Conversion is not a one-time event but a continual journey of transformation, affecting every facet of our lives, as we strive to align with God's instruction and way of life. As we witness conversion in others, whether individuals or groups, it brings joy to see lives transformed by responding to God's truth. Yet, we must recognize that not all are converted to the same extent or in the same areas. Patience and forbearance are essential as we support one another, allowing God time to work in each person's life. Bearing each other's burdens, we aid in this transformative process, preparing ourselves and our brethren for the Kingdom of God.

The Christian life demands new loyalties, often requiring us to forge a new family within the church. Many find themselves as the only ones called from their particular families, and over time, they may have to forsake those ties in a sense, discovering little in common even with their own blood due to the dramatic divergence in ways of life. Within the church, however, they find a new identity, a new purpose, and a new way of life. Though blood ties are strong, Jesus warns that our devotion to Him and to God's family must be stronger. This devotion is an act of will, a deliberate choice to prioritize God above all else, affirming that He is the first priority in life, and we will go where He directs us to go.