You Belong
Each year we look at three core statements for Beloved church. Belong, Be Known, and Be Loved. Today we look at Belonging.
- The first and most important way you belong is to God. When we come to Christ, we become part of his family. We are called his children, adopted heirs, and chosen. As believers, we now belong to Christ. We have peace with Him and the dividing penalty of sin is removed from us. We can stand before God, confident that he has done the work to redeem and restore us to a right relationship with Him. He promises to never leave us alone. We will always belong to our Savior.
- Do I struggle with feeling distant from God? How can I practice my oneness with Christ daily?
“But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh, he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might create in himself one new man from the two, resulting in peace.”– Ephesians 2:13-15
- When we became part of God’s great design for us, we also became part of a great, global and historical people. While we may have found our identity in our nationality or local culture, we now have a much greater sense of belonging. Christians are part of the massive family of God, called the Church. We belong to all who call Christ king. From ancient New Testament churches to modern expressions around the globe, we are all God’s people. We are a people who belong to each other and are called to proclaim the glory of our King to all people. We were grafted in to an incredible story of God’s plan to reach all nations with the gospel.
- Do I find my identity in my nationality, culture or political views? How can I become more aware of God’s global family and serve?
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” – 1 Peter 2:9-10
- Lastly, we belong to each other as the local expression of the larger, global church. God’s plan for us is to have thriving, intimate relationships with each other as believers. Church is not supposed to be an hour per week of teaching and songs. Church is the ongoing gathering of sons and daughters of God to build each other up, strengthen each other, and support each other. If someone comes into Beloved and feels alone, we have not achieved our calling as a church. We should be regularly connecting with each other to show love and grow together.
- Am I working with all of my strength in my family, work and relationships?
“Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts,praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” – Acts 2:46-47
Life Application: Do you feel connected to God, the global church and Beloved church? Why or why not? What can you do to become more integrated into the rhythms of grace that we should practice together? What is keeping you from being more invested in the body of Christ?
For Prayer:e Pray for students and teachers as they head back to school this week.