No faking it when it comes to God's family

Last night I was working in my office when I heard a relentless meowing coming from the front porch area. When I opened the door to check, an adorable, carrot-colored cat moseyed in. Dave wasn't all too keen about this creature making itself at home, but I loved it. Kitty followed me from room to room and didn't seem to mind when I picked her up to finish our tour, but soon my conscience got the better of me and I began calling the neighbors, checking to see if someone was missing a cat. I was told of one possibility.

Kitty and I journeyed down the street to that neighbor's house where two little girls answered the front door. Their expressions said it all. "Mommy, it's Lemon Drop!" they squealed. Lemon Drop had been missing for six months. And now she was home. Grabbing their prodigal feline, the youngsters continued to hug and kiss and pamper their friend as I left to return home.

You might be wondering what the boy in the movie and the kitty in the story have in common. They both reveal something about what it means to be a part of a family. In the "Changeling" example, the child at the railway station was no relation to Christine's family, while in the cat tale, Lemon Drop was a very important and legitimate member. Family membership is not something that can be "faked." Either we are or we are not part of a particular family, and, when eternity is considered, being part of a certain family is all that is going to matter.

In "The Changeling," the imposter ultimately was not successful in claiming a status that he did not possess. I'm afraid that will be the same for many when it comes time for their eternal membership to ultimately and finally be decided, for then it will be black or white, yes or no, in or out. There will be no faking it.

One can become a part of a human family by birth, by adoption, and even by affection, but that is not the case to be a child of God. One becomes a part of His family only by accepting the redemption that has been purchased by (and is offered through) the blood of Christ.

On that day when we stand at a railroad station, figuratively speaking, and present ourselves to our Heavenly Parent, He, like Christine, will know immediately who belong to Him and who do not. Some will experience the joy that I saw on the face of the children when they realized that their beloved kitty had come home, but for others, I'm sad to say, no amount of faking will make a difference. Maybe it's time we reevaluate to which group we belong.