BELONGING TO THE CHURCH - QUALITIES
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Have you ever thought about the basic qualities that we need to have when we belong to the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ? What it takes to belong to the Church? It takes Belief, Faith, Love, Personal Relationship, Prayer, and Unity. These are the basic qualities we need to have that are essential to our Christian life and walk.
We need to believe in Christ Jesus, to trust Him. We need to believe that He is the way, the truth, and the life. That He is the only way to the Father. John 1:12 says, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." Christ was given to us as an atonement for our sin, that we would believe on Him, that we would have eternal life with Him. John 14:12 tells us, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." Christ wants us to continue to do the great work He intended the Church to do. That is, to take the Good News t others that they would believe and be saved.
Another quality we need is Faith in Jesus Christ. Faith is our channel in which our salvation is conformed. For it is by faith we walk and not by sight. Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
In Romans 1:17 we find: "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." For by our faith in Christ we are seeking to live righteously that we may be right in the body of Christ, showing that we put full trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our Head cornerstone, for without faith it is hard to please God.
Love for Christ, is a quality we need to have in the Church. When we love Christ we will obey His commandments. 1 John 5:2 tells us that, "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments." When we are in the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ and obey His commandments we reflect the image of Christ. The love for Christ is we love Him with our whole being. We need to die to self, to serve Him, who loved us first. But He wants us to love Him too. It's a two way street!
Having a Personal Relationship and Prayer with God is another quality we need. Everything between us and God is very personal. Jesus is the Good Shepherd and He lays His life down for the sheep. John 10:27 tell us: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." Having that personal relationship gives us that direct line. Practicing His presence on a daily basis is important, when we are in the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ. While we were yet sinners, He dies for us. Now that's personal! He dies for you and me, that we might have that personal relationship with Him. He's that friend that sticks closer than a brother. He desires us to pray to Him and talk with Him. He desires us to pray without ceasing. Psalm 145:18-19 says, "The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them." Jesus desires us to come unto Him when we're hurting. That's why He wants us to have that personal relationship and prayer with Him. It is in this we will grow in our walk and in the Church. Hebrews 4:14-16 tells us that: "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
The last and final quality is unity in the Church of Jesus Christ. It is in this quality that all of the others come into play. Everyone is fitted together jointly and everyone serves a purpose in the body of Christ. We are the sheep of His hand. As we believe, have faith, love, seek a personal relationship and pray in Christ, let us also love one another. We should not and must not be envying or provoking one another. We should be praying, admonishing, edifying, encouraging, strengthening, and loving one another in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 4:4-6 says, "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Belonging to the Church doesn't mean that we just come to Kairos**, sing in the Choir, or just sit in the pew. It means that all these qualities are put into action. It means that we believe and trust in Christ, put our full faith in Christ, love Christ, and have that personal relationship and pare praying Him. It is being active in the full body ministry in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ!
As I look back in my own life, and see if I had known the qualities that I basic and essential, I would've had a clearer picture. I didn't know having a personal relationship with the lord was possible, and to really believe and have faith. Understanding that loving the Lord was more that just lip service. It is being a doer of the Word and not just a hearer. For me, belonging to the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a wonderful privilege and honor, to be among fellow brethren who desire to share the same basic qualities is a sure joy and a blessing. These basic functions help us to function as a whole in the Church of our Lord Jesus. When we can function, we are able to carry out the task that the lord has called us to do, to love Him with all of our being and to love one another, thus sharing the message of Christ Jesus with others. That is why these basic qualities are essential in Christian life and walk.
** The word kairos comes to us from the Greek word for time. Contrasting with chronos, meaning ordinary or chronological time, kairos means holy or God-given time, time laden with meaning and choice. Kairos signals a time of crisis and new possibilities, a time of repentance, renewal and decisive action. This can be a pinnacle moment, such as the current challenges to churches and communities presented by globalization. Kairos can also be a stream of moments, daily injustices that call us to act in God's name. Every time we read the signs of our world and see injustice, the very meaning of faith is at stake in our response. Recognizing kairos means acknowledging that the time to act for justice is now.
