By: Arnie Cole and Michael Ross
Today's passage
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Reflect
-Why are selflessness and unity with other believers two keys to knowing and doing God's will?
-How does it feel to be a member of God's household?
-How can I make myself a better dwelling for God's Holy Spirit?
It's a little intimidating to think of ourselves as part of God's own household, right there with the apostles and all the prophets, isn't it? It's hard to think of ourselves in the same league as, say, Paul or John, or Jeremiah or Isaiah. But that is exactly the truth: as Christians, we are all on the same "playing field," with none of us in a higher position than the other. And we are all united in one mission: to share God's love and the Good News of His Son, Jesus Christ. Individually we are each a dwelling, a temple, holding God Himself in the form of the Holy Spirit. And collectively we join together as members of one body, working to build God's Kingdom here on Earth.
Respond
Ask for Change: Lord, help me learn to act selflessly, not with my own good in mind, but for the good of my neighbors, with the ultimate goal of furthering Your Kingdom on Earth.
Consider what's real: Consider what The Message version says about the unified body of the Christian church: "No matter how significant you are, it is only because of what you are a part of.... You are Christ's body--that's who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your 'part' mean anything" (1 Corinthians 12:19,27). Jesus expects our faith to go beyond a one-to-one relationship with Him and into the realm of our community. He didn't intend for our faith to be entirely individualistic, but communal in nature, impacting our neighbors in our own cities and towns, our own nation and beyond.
Additional verses to consider: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, Ephesians 4:15-16
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