In a relationship, sacrifice “is when someone willingly gives up their own preferences and goals for the benefit of their partner or the relationship”. Family may need to sacrifice individual interests to spend more time to know each together. Family members need to put others first and think of others better than us. To cultivate and nurture such family relationship, it takes humility and self-sacrifice; most importantly the grace of God is needed to be in our heart, our soul and our mind, because He can change our hearts. 

Esteeming others better than us, so oneness will be manifested and grown within through self- sacrifice and humility. This sense of selfless unity will foster a significance of belonging and purpose among the family and its members. It collects diverse spiritual gifts and kingdom perspectives, leading to God centered innovative inspirations and Godly decision-making. Moreover, it will boost morale and team/family spirit. Our Savior also prayed for unity among His disciples: “ That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us” (John 17:21). The gospel creates a unity of faith with our Father, our Savior, and our fellow believers (Ephesians 4:13). 

In fact, we come from different backgrounds, cultures, experiences, born in different parts of the world, various upgrowing environments and dissimilar education. These are the given facts that cannot be amended; however, these make us distinctive and yet perfect in His bigger picture for who we are and what we are in His family. We all do our parts in life, at work and at home. Now we come together in His name as brothers and sisters, parents and children. So, the gospel becomes our common denominator that brings us together to share, encouragement, laugh and cry, as well as love one another as ourselves. 

The question remained whether we are willing to yield and humble before our Lord to fashion what He has modeled being self-sacrifice, think of other first to nourish this gospel base love relationship among us…… 

For the past years, we are earnestly putting our affords and emphasis in Christ centered unity among congregations and FECDB/ACC at all costs – self-sacrifice relationship, others first, and cultivated the humility within through the Holy spirt that are the fundamental foundation of the gospel love; of which helps us thrive and  produce the holistic family in the kingdom of Christ. This cannot be achieved just thru time and/or seasons, but with the Christ-like humility in our hearts. His intervention can transform our characters, our heart conditions, our soul and mind that will toward His command to us to be “Unite” in Him and in His family. Ultimately, a family follows Jesus!