Levítico 20:5 Nueva Versión Internacional (NVI)

yo mismo me pondré en contra de él y de su familia; eliminaré del pueblo a ese hombre y a todos los que se hayan prostituido con él, siguiendo a Moloc.

Excuse my Spanish, but it struck me this morning as I was releasing yesterday’s devotional Sound Familiar that it is possible that the root words for both family and familiar might well be familia. Who do we know best if not a family member? We hope we do anyway.

Being the youngest of four with an eight year spread, my siblings know me much better that I know them. They have been a part of my whole life, while I know only what they care to share about those years before I came along. By the time I was old enough to realize that fact my older siblings were gone from the house.

I cannot speak to the issues of familiarity from any aspect except what was common between us, and what little they are willing to share. Now within this new family called church, the fellowship of saints, we are all connected in that same manner. I only know as much about your life before I came along as you are willing to share.

I understand that parts of our past lives might be painful. Mine was for sure. If we do not share those things with our new family it makes it all that more difficult for us to fit in, to become familia.

Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

This is the purpose of family, to edify one another in love!

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.

I render this quote without address or translation. Does it sound familiar? It is copy and paste accurate. Do you know who said it and under what circumstance? Did you know who received the word? Does it apply to you? Is it meant for a person or a general assembly?

Why should that matter?

Sentiments are often repeated in the bible at different times to different people in context to circumstance. What preceded this line is vastly different in context of participants and circumstance when it is repeated later. How would you know which exact quote applies to your life in this moment? Perhaps a more familiar translation might help in revealing the previous scripture in those two scenarios.

Deuteronomy 31:7 (KJV)And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the Lord hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.

John 14:26 (KJV)But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

While John 14:27 repeats the sentiments of Deuteronomy 31:8 but differences in context are between a promise made and a promise kept. Your ability to relate to both of these lines of scripture is dependent upon that promise.

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?

If not, you are relegated to Deuteronomy 31:7. If you have accepted Jesus then you are alive in John 14:26.

What is the difference in terms of spiritual application?

The difference is between following a man and following God.