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I Am Called to Belong, Not Just Believe

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Romans 12:5 (KJV)

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?
Averagely speaking, yes my involvement demonstrates my commitment – I’ve attended church when it rained; when it snowed; and on sunny days when everyone else was out enjoying it. I’ve attended the morning and afternoon services on Sundays, taught youth Bible classes on Tuesdays, attended Adult Bible study on Wednesdays, showed up at meetings on Saturday – but there are often times when my consistency wavers. I get into a mode where I don’t want to go – I get tired and I wonder what has happened to my zeal. I desire to be committed, but at the last minute I’ll give in to some random excuse and end up staying home. There is just too much to be done for me to keep doing this. I struggle with maintaining a balance between taking care of my family at home and my family at church. Every member of my family is not a committed believer and so I often feel like I’m deserting them when I have to leave them to go to church. I wonder if I’m setting the right example when I give time I could be spending with them to my church.

To God, the simple solution would be: “Put me first, and let me handle the rest.” Then I need to remind myself that I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me - especially when I am tired and seemingly unmotivated. The key is to continuously pray that God will help me to stay focused and listen to what he tells me, especially when the voices of others are so loud. When I get off track, I need to recognize it, ask for forgiveness, then get back to work as soon as possible.

Important Quotes:
“We are created for community, fashioned for fellowship, and formed for a family, and none of us can fulfill God’s purposes by ourselves.” (Warren, 130)

“For the organs of your body to fulfill their purposes, they must be connected to your body. The same is true for you as a part of Christ’s Body. You were created for a specific roles, but you will miss this second purpose of your life if you’re not attached to a living, local church…If an organ is somehow servered from its body, it will shrivel and die. If cannot exist on its own, and neither can you. Disconnected and cut off from the lifeblood of a local body, your spiritual life will wither and eventually cease to exist.” (Warren, 131)

“You will never grow to spiritual maturity just be attending worship services and being a passive spectator. Only participation in the full life of a local church builds spiritual muscles.” (Warren, 134)

“None of us are immune to temptation. Given the right situation, you and I are capable of any sin. God knows this, so he has assigned us as individuals the responsibility of keeping each other on track…If you know someone who is wavering spiritually right now, it is your responsibility to go after them and bring them back into the fellowship.” (Warren, 135)

“…God designed the church specifically to help you meet your 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.” (Warren, 136)

“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 sharing the responsibility.” (Warren, 136)

“God wants you to love real people, not ideal people. You can spend a lifetime searching for the perfect church, but you will never find it.” (Warren, 137)

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