In this teaching we will see where we stand as children of God, and who we are as brothers and sisters in Christ. We will see how each of us are important to God, and to each other. And we will find out where to seek counsel when making major decisions in our lives
Let’s begin in the book of Ephesians.
Ephesians 2:19-22 – Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but [in contrast] fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
As born again Christians, we are established in the household of God as heirs and fellow citizens with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. That phrase reminds me of the old buildings in Butte, Montana where I grew up. May of them have a huge granite cornerstone. It is always considerably larger than any of the other stones used to construct the rest of the building. It is also a very stable foundation because of its size and the fact that it is on the corner of the structure. The entire building might fall if that cornerstone were removed from its position. Likewise our spiritual lives will be unstable if we choose not to build on the rock, Jesus Christ.
I Corinthians 12:14-18 – For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
We are all individual members of the large body of Christ and each one of us is important the same way each brick is needed to construct a building.
I have been reading a really great book lately and it talks about how when we are living our lives and interacting with people, we are not actually dealing with “People” so to speak. We are dealing with a person. An individual. Someone with a personality, feelings, and opinions.
When we take the time to recognize “people” individually, we will see that they are much more open and friendly. This means calling someone by name, asking about their personal life, or remembering something about them. Utilizing this principle makes people want to be around you because they know you care. It is simple and easy to do but makes a huge difference in the lives of others. The more we categorize and judge people to fit them into some preconceived box of “people” the less we really learn to understand them. This happens a lot in politics but surprisingly it happens a lot in the Church too. Most people are more interesting than we think they are and taking the time to know them as an individual can reap great rewards.
Romans 12:4-5 – For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
We are part of a big family; The household of God. We don’t all hold the same office. We don’t all have the same strengths. This is by God’s design. We are better together.
God also exhorts us to seek counsel with those who know his Word. Ask yourself: How often do I seek counsel? Do I make decisions based on my own logic, or do I get the wisdom of a fellow believer who might have a different perspective before making a final decision?
Proverbs 11:14 – Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
When my sister was younger and was ready to buy her first car, she didn’t go out and pick one up on her own; she asked for help from my father and brother. This allowed her to make the best decision because she had the knowledge from two guys who know cars very well. She could have easily and successfully bought the car herself, but with multiple “counselors” giving their feedback she could be completely sure it was the right decision.
Another asset that we have is to be able to pray and believe together for needs in our lives. Let’s look at Matthew 18
Matthew 18:19-20 – Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
God promises that as we pray together, it will be done. The more people we can involve in our believing, the better. Specifically the value of two or more people praying together is called out here. (see Ecclesiastes 4:12) It is comforting to know when there are other people believing & praying with us and for us.
Matthew 21:22 – And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
This is one of the many promises given in the Bible. The language is clear, whatsoever we ask in prayer, believing, we will receive. The key word is “believing” and it connotes action. Most of the time we will need to be moving in the direction of the thing that we are praying for. If we need healing, that may mean we go to the doctor or search out natural remedies to speed up the process. If we need something physical we may need to ask around or go looking for it. No one ever discovered anything new while sitting around all day waiting for an answer.
God wants his children to work together as one body. In Ephesians, we read that we are children of God, and brothers and sisters in Christ. And that Jesus is the chief cornerstone and the foundation of our walk with God.
We saw how each of us fit into the household and are important as individuals. And how to treat “people” as equals and with great respect.
We learned where to seek counsel when making decisions in our lives, and that there is wisdom in a multitude of counselors.
And we looked at the power of prayer as we believe together for the needs in each other’s lives. It is a great privilege to support one another in the body of Christ.
God Bless You!
From a February 2010 Teaching [brackets indicate my comments] All Scriptures from KJV Bible unless otherwise noted