Ephesians 2:19-22
The Bible says we have to believe in God but we also need to BELONG to God to become his children. You might not think they go together, but the Bible says differently. We can believe in family, but we might not actually have a family. Everyone believes in something. Some people believe in money, academics, etc. Mercenaries will be on your side as long as they get paid. On the other hand, the military gets paid whatever to support their country. Mercenaries cling to money.
People that have fluttering beliefs are like children and they waver back and forth. Yet when they find a place, they get taken care of. Generally our beliefs put is in a group where we belong (church, high school club, etc.). We need to belong to God, not just believe in Him because no one can fulfill what He can do for us. Man needed a helper because he was never meant to be isolated and solitary.
Our relationship with Jesus is personal, not private. It's easy to believe in God, but not belong to God because we always fall short. Belonging to God is like being a part of a team. A team is made up of different people, but needs to think the same way and unite together. It's difficult in a group dynamic because it's easy to argue and not get anything done. Golf and tennis players don't have much or any conflict. However baseball and basketball teams can get into fights if there's conflict. You have to compromise to get to the same goal, but it's difficult. See Romans 14:4-5:
4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
C.S. Lewis mentioned that the word "member" was first used in church, but now the word has been changed. Now it's mundane and normal. For Christians, being a member is vital because we belong to Christ, so all who believe in Him won't be scattered or be alone. It's a body, not a building. Is it easy to live without any body part?
If everyone on the 2002 Korean World Cup team wanted to score goals, the team wouldn't have been successful. That team did so well because they came together as a team and each player played their position well. Gus Hiddink also got rid of the hierarchy system. They were all equal and they all used their skills uniquely. He made the older players and younger players mix together and he had the inexperienced players work together with the experienced ones. They had to work together and communicate.
Many people believe in Jesus or God, but don't go to church. These people are usually isolated from other believers and can't build each other up and have compassion or fellowship. We all have a part to play or have a role. People might say "I'm not good enough" or "I'm too good to serve". Both show selfishness, greed, or a self-centered attitude.
Romans 12:6-8 tells us that not using your gifts is a rejection to God. When things don't benefit us directly, we're reluctant to do it. On the other hand, accepting our roles even if we didn't imagine doing them will help us get the most satisfaction in the world.
God calls us to do things that won't give us immediate success or glory. Why? God wants us to love real people. The Christian commitment isn't just to love Christ, but to love other (1 John 1:5-7).
If we say we have faith in God but are not walking in truth, we are lying to God. Yet if we believe in God, we should have fellowship with one another. Your faith in God will cause you to have fellowship with others.
Scott Worden (The L.A./Seoul Guy)
Instagram: l.a.seoulguy
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