“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 who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:4-5 (NIV)
God’s will is for you to believe in Jesus alone for salvation and to belong to His local body of believers known as the church. When you are saved you are adopted into God’s forever family and then you choose to connect with a local church where you can grow spiritually and serve faithfully.
Every member is important. In God’s economy, every member of the local body of believers matters to God. God graces you with salvation and with spiritual gifts so that you can honor God and benefit the body of Christ. In Christ, we form one body.
Every member has the responsibility to protect the unity of the body. Choose to diffuse gossip and infuse an attitude of gratitude throughout the body. Gossip is when you say something behind another person’s back that you would not say to their face. Flattery is when you say something to a person’s face that you would not say behind their back. Don’t glide into the gully of gossip.
Protect the unity of the church you are connected to. Believe in Jesus and demonstrate the privilege and responsibility of belonging to Christ and His local body of believers. Testify of His redeeming love in your life and protect the unity of His local church by being intentional in your conversation and conduct.
Sometimes protecting unity involves confronting others who are sowing discord. God empowers you to speak the truth in love. Don’t allow the weeds of this world to grow in the garden of God’s family.
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Lead Pastor
Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell