Its Not Enough To Just Believe, I Need To Belong

In review of Romans 12:5 it says, “In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

Bottom Line:

Each of us makes up part of the body of Christ, we are not our own, but joined to others as part of one body.

What this means to me:

Though I am only one of many, I am to join together with others to form one body, because I am to be joined to others as different parts of one body.

God’s Word tells me that I am called to belong, not just believe.

I was created for community, fashioned for fellowship, and formed for a family, and I cannot fulfill God’s purposes by myself. The Bible knows nothing of solitary saints or spiritual hermits isolated from other believers and deprived of fellowship.

The Bible has lots of references that indicate that I am put together, joined together, built together, a member together, an heir together, fitted together, held together, and will be caught up together (1 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 2:21-22, 3:6, 4:16; Colossians 2:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:17).

Essentially I’m not on my own anymore!

While my relationship to Christ is personal, God never intended for it to be private. In God’s family I am connected to every other believer, and we will belong to each other for eternity. This verse reminds me that, “In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Romans 12:5).

C. S. Lewis noted that the word “membership” is of Christian origin, but the world has emptied it of its original meaning. Stores offer discounts to members, and advertisers use member names to create mailing lists. In some organizations, membership is often reduced to simply adding your name to a roll, with no requirements or expectations.

To Paul, being a “member” of the Church meant being a vital organ of a living body, an indispensable, interconnected part of the Body of Christ. I need to adopt and practice the biblical meaning of membership. The Church is a body, not a building; an organism, not an organization (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 6:15, 12:12-27).

God’s purposes for his Church is identical to his five purposes for me. Worship helps me focus on God; fellowship helps me face life’s problems; discipleship helps fortify my faith; ministry helps find my talents; power helps fulfill my mission. There is nothing else on earth like the Church!

In summary, when I follow Christ and join in with others, I help to form one body and belong to the others. Together we can accomplish more of God’s work. Thank you God for showing me your intent this morning for how I am to be involved and become part of a body in the new area I have recently moved to. It is time for me to stop being an observer who is standing on the sideline and to become a participant. Its not just enough to believe, I need to join in and belong.