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“In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:5 NIV)
You are called to belong, not just believe.
We are created for community, fashioned for fellowship, and formed for a family, and none of us can fulfill God’s purposes by ourselves. The Bible knows nothing of solitary saints or spiritual hermits isolated from other believers and deprived of fellowship.
The Bible says we are put together, joined together, built together, members together, heirs together, fitted together, and held together, and we will be caught up together (1 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 2:21-22, 3:6, 4:16; Colossians 2:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:17).
You’re not on your own anymore!
While your relationship to Christ is personal, God never intended for it to be private. In God’s family you are connected to every other believer, and we will belong to each other for eternity. The Bible says, “In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Romans 12:5).
C. S. Lewis noted that the word “membership” is of Christian origin, but the world has emptied it of its original meaning. Stores offer discounts to members, and advertisers use member names to create mailing lists. In churches, membership is often reduced to simply adding your name to a roll, with no requirements or expectations.
To Paul, being a “member” of the Church meant being a vital organ of a living body, an indispensable, interconnected part of the Body of Christ. We need to recover and practice the biblical meaning of membership. The Church is a body, not a building; an organism, not an organization (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 6:15, 12:12-27).
God’s purposes for his Church are identical to his five purposes for you. Worship helps you focus on God; fellowship helps you face life’s problems; discipleship helps fortify your faith; ministry helps find your talents; power helps fulfill your mission.
There is nothing else on earth like the Church!
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>
Talk It Over
- What do you think a church should expect of its members?
- How are you fulfilling your purpose as a member of the Body of Christ in a local church?
- Why is it sometimes difficult to choose community over solitude?
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| Today’s Scripture |
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
(John 3:16, NIV) |
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| Whosoever |
When God sent His Son Jesus to the earth, He opened the door of salvation to whoever would believe. That means anyone can come to Him and become a child of His and have everlasting life! He didn’t just come to save certain kinds of people. He didn’t have a bunch of rules and conditions for salvation.
Before Jesus came, people had to observe many laws in order to be holy enough to go into the temple. They were constantly performing sacrifices to pay for their sins just so they could be around the presence of God. And even then, their sins weren’t washed away; they were only covered up. But when Jesus came, He was the final sacrifice. His blood didn’t just cover up our sins; His blood washes us clean!
Now, instead of just going to the temple to be near God, the Bible says we are the temple, and He chooses to live inside of us. Do you receive Him today? If you’ve never asked Him into your life, there’s no better time than right now.
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| A Prayer for Today |
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“Father, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus so that I can be free. Thank You for opening the door to eternal life. I accept the sacrifice Jesus paid. Come into my heart. Be my Lord and Savior in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
PS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ-fghqc8Oo |
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