You are members of God's very own family, citizens of God's country, and you belong in God's household with every other Christian.
EPHESIANS 2:19b (lb)
God's family is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
1 TIMOTHY 3:15b (GWT)
"We are created for community, fashioned for fellowship, and formed for a family, and none of us can fulfil God's purpose by ourselves." p130
"In God's family you are connected to every other believer, and we will belong to each other for eternity." p130
"Following Christ includes belonging, not just believing." p131
"A church family helps you develop spiritual muscle. You never grow to maturity just by attending worship services and being a passive spectator. Only participation in the full life of a local church builds spiritual muscle." p134
"Isolation breeds deceitfulness, it is easy to fool ourselves into thinking we are mature if there is no one to challenge us. Real maturity shows up in relationships." p134
"The church is God's instrument on earth. We are not just to model God's love by loving each other; we are to carry it together to the rest of the world." p135
"'Mind you business' is not a Christian phrase. We are commanded to be involved in each others lives." p135
"Satan loves detached believers, unplugged from the life of the Body, isolated from God's family, and unacceptable to spiritual leaders, because he knows they are defenceless and powerless against his tactics." p136
"The difference between being a church attender and a church member is commitment. Attenders are spectators from the sidelines; members get involved in the ministry. Attenders are consumers; members are contributors. Attenders want the benefits of a church without the responsibility." p136-7
Point to Ponder:
I am called to belong, not just believe.
Verse to Remember:
" In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." ROMANS 12:5 (NIV)
Question to Consider:
Does my level of involvement in my local church demonstrate that I love and am committed to God's family?
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