When a man and a woman enter into marriage, they form an indivisible bond and ought to experience a oneness that reflects the very nature of God, who is described as one (Deuteronomy 6:4). Although we commonly understand a family to consist of a father, mother, and children, this definition only emerged after the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. At the beginning, after the fall, Adam and Eve were united in marriage (Genesis 2:24) but struggled to take responsibility for their disobedience—a struggle that eventually led to the formation of distinct families within human society.
People often view those outside their immediate circle as unfamiliar, which naturally creates a sense of distance. This gradual breakdown of our shared humanity begins within the family and then spreads to clans, tribes, nations, and ultimately to divisions based on race. Many of the world’s wars can be traced back to these divides, as families from a common origin grow apart. Cain and Abel were depicted as distinct from one another, even long before their respective marriages, both being part of Adam’s family. Such divisive identities are rooted in pride, which leads people to avoid responsibility in the lives of their fellow humans—just as Cain denied being his brother’s keeper (Genesis 4:9).
Cain killed his brother not because of any problem with family ties to Adam, but out of selfish ambition fueled by Satan’s influence. Cain believed that survival meant surpassing his brother and seeking recognition as someone worthy of high regard. This mindset lies at the heart of humanity’s most stubborn problems. God’s principle, however, is to care for your brother as an extension of caring for yourself. To ignore a brother in need is, in effect, to ignore yourself—a truth that even common sense affirms.
The challenges facing humanity can be described in many ways, and it is easy for people to take comfort in blaming others for these problems. This tendency is not new; it reflects human nature, stemming from the sin of Adam. The restoration of humanity ultimately leads to the household of God—a family that transcends divisions of race, class, or gender, as stated in Galatians 3:26–29.
This kind of family begins with Abraham, who is recognized as the father of all who share in the faith of Christianity. He represents a significant shift in perspective, becoming a central figure in trusting God and turning away from the viewpoint of Adam. Yet the clearest picture of this new dispensation was established by Christ, so that the way of salvation is no longer difficult to see.
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19–22)
In Scripture, “household” and “family” are closely linked. Each member of that household plays a unique role, much like parts of a body working together in oneness. These roles blend harmoniously to serve a shared purpose that shapes the whole family, producing wholeness. Even those who seem less important are as essential as any other—no one truly thrives without the others. God gives each role individually to complete the family unit.
This raises questions about the focus on the Trinity within God’s household, especially since the Bible clearly states that God is one (Deuteronomy 6:4). The Tower of Babel illustrates a false kind of unity that could have ended in disaster, prejudicing its proponents (Genesis 11:1–9). That unity went against God’s plan, driven by pride and ambition: “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered over the face of the whole earth” (Genesis 11:4).
Even today, people often cling to this false sense of unity—whether in families, tribes, or races—mirroring the Babylonian idea of an exclusive, unitary philosophy. Before revealing what true familial unity looks like, God confused their languages and scattered them across the earth, leaving humanity divided and often in conflict with one another—a condition far from His design. Yet God’s plan for salvation has always been clear, drawing those connected to Him toward the light and unity of His family. Self-centeredness has become a cultural norm, and therefore it is extremely difficult to let go.
Jesus came to challenge this distorted view of unity in human relations. Beginning with the twelve disciples, He sought to cultivate a different way of belonging, welcoming many into God’s family through the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). After He left, something remarkable happened at Pentecost: people speaking different languages discovered that they could still understand one another, forming a profound bond among God’s people. While the Tower of Babel brought division through language, the Pentecostal phenomenon reversed it, enabling everyone to understand each other despite their linguistic differences.
Jesus came to lead us back to the Father, so we could be reunited and live in harmony with Him. Even though our flaws may make that unity feel out of reach, His purpose was to address those flaws on our behalf. Through the cross, what once seemed impossible became possible. When God calls someone His child, leading that child astray is among the most serious wrongs the world has ever known. To show the gravity of this, Jesus used the image of a heavy millstone tied around the neck of anyone who misleads those He calls His children (Matthew 18:6).
Though humanity may appear divided into many families, God sees just one true family—His own. Everyone we meet, regardless of race or gender, reflects part of ourselves, and we are meant to care for them. This is the opposite of Cain’s attitude, who thought it was acceptable to ignore his brother, let alone harm him. Treating others as we would want to be treated reminds us that we are one family, united as humans, made in God’s image.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, relieving those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions, leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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