“Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as part of His body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut of toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we?” Romans 12:4-5
Hello ladies! I hope you’re all enjoying this lovely day outside (ha, not). Can you believe that finals start this week? Seriously, where did this semester go?? It’s so crazy to me when I look back on the last 4 months and think about all that has happened. Personally, one of the biggest and best changes I experienced these past months has been really finding where I belong in my church. Even growing up, I never made it a priority to really be involved in church besides summer camps and mission trips. It wasn’t until recently that I realized what all I was missing out on. I know a lot of Christians don’t see why it’s so important to be involved in a church. I was like that too last year; I’d read my Bible, pray, and listen to worship music and thought I was doing just fine. Not being involved in a church doesn’t make you any less of a Christian, but it certainly isn’t God’s best for you. You are called to belong, not just to believe, and here is why. (This is based off my notes from a day in “A Purpose Driven Life“)
1. A church family identifies you as a genuine believer. You discover your role in life through your relationship with others. We are not the Body of Christ by ourselves; we need others to express that. When we accept Christ into our lives, we become part of His family, it’s not a solitary way of life. When people from different backgrounds come together to love as a church family, it is one of the most powerful witnesses to the world.
“By this, all men will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another.” John 13:35
2. It moves you out of self-centered isolation. Only in regular contact with ordinary, imperfect believers can we learn real fellowship and experience the New Testament truth of being connected and dependent on each other. We learn what God’s sacrificial love (John 3:16) really means when we practice loving others like that through fellowship.
“If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it. Or if one part of our body is honored, all the other parts share its honor.” 1 Corinthians 12:26
3. It helps us grow spiritually. It easy to fool ourselves into thinking we are mature Christians if there is no one there to challenge us. Just like I said earlier, I thought my daily routine last semester was fine until I had a HUGE wake up call this semester. It really is a night and day difference when you're pursueing God on your own versus when you're pursueing God with the support of a whole community. We are kept accountable by surrounding ourselves with Christians who truly are seeking Christ and really want to encourage us and help us grow, too. We need more than just a Bible to grow, we need other believers who are there to call us out when we're on the wrong track.
“As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” Ephesians 4:16b
4. The Body of Christ needs you! We all have our own unique talents and abilities; Some people can sing, dance, play guitar, write, teach, fix computers, organize things, care for others, make us laugh, plan really cool parties, etc. Whatever it may be, God wants you to use your gifts for his ministry. So plug in to your church by doing whatever you’re already good at! Use your talent to help the Body of Christ because that’s why you have it in the first place.
5. A church family helps you from being overcome by sin. Brennan Manning says “A church is not a museum of saints but a hospital for sinners“. I love that! We all sin, and our church should be a refuge from that, not a place of condemnation. We need to “Encourage one another daily… so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Hebrews 3:13) Everyone faces temptation daily, and being surrounded by a community of believers gives us people who are going to be looking out for us when we fall. James 5:19 says “If you know people who have wandered off from God’s truth, don’t write them off. Go after them, get them back!”. Your church is full of people who will help you overcome temptation and keep your focus on Christ.
The church meets our five deepest needs: a purpose to live for, people to live with, principles to live by, a profession to live out, and power to live on. I started really plugging in to First Baptist this semester and am just amazed by the people I’ve met. I had never been around so many Christians who were so knowledgeable of God’s Word, so uplifting and encouraging, so focused on Christ, so joyful and filled with His love, and so honest about their own sin. Not only that, but getting to know some of you girls has been such a blessing! I’ve loved being able to talk during Bible Studies and go to church and paradigm with y’all.
I know this devotional is kind of bad timing since we’re all about to leave for the summer, but I encourage you all to get plugged in to a community of believers wherever you are. I know I’ve said the word ‘church’ a lot, but a church is not a place it’s a people. So whether you’re staying here or going home, find people who are going to uplift you and challenge you in your walk with Christ. You could even get a couple of people together and go through “A Purpose Driven Life” together this summer since it’s a 40 day devotional (perfect summer fit)! Just an idea. Anyway, I hope y’all have a fabulous week and try not to get too stressed out over finals!
Currently Listening to: The Outsiders by NeedtoBreathe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6xvpQYA94Y
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