Thursday, October 13, 2022 Some material taken from The Church I Want to Belong To
For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one will bear his own load. Galatians 6:3-5
The Tie That Binds
When it comes to church and our relationship with the Lord, we are all at different levels. However, in God’s eyes, we are all the same. He does not love those who are more knowledgeable and who have been Christians longer. The field is level at the foot of the cross and we are all the same in His eyes.
As a grace church we value and accept every individual, no matter where they are in their Christian walk. We are each accountable and responsible to God for our words and actions. So, then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:12 This is a private exchange between each person and God. We cannot be responsible for each other’s spiritual growth, and neither can the pastor, staff, or Bible study leaders of the church. The church accepts, loves, and helps each other grow in faith and knowledge of God’s word, and we choose what we get to do with those opportunities. We are called to love and show tolerance for each other, even if we don’t have the same opinions on some issues.
Priesthood of the Believer and Believers - The Priesthood of the Believer - every person who is a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ has access directly to God and is directly responsible to God.
As His children, we have instant access to Him anytime. He is always with us, and He is always listening and there immediately when we call on Him. We don’t have to go to a special place or have another person to pray for us.
As a part of the Priesthood of Believers, we are all Believer priests. We are all equal to one another in Christ (Galatians 3:26-28) but each responsible for his or her own actions.
There is only one High Priest, that is Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:23-8:13)
We are united to Christ share in all that He is and does, and in this case, they share in His priestly office. Unlike the Old Testament priests, who offered sacrificial animals, New Testament believers rest in the finished work of Christ the one true sacrifice. They are also “living sacrifices” and offer up sacrifices of PRAISE!
Another concept - soul competency - is that each person has a God-given ability to know and follow God's will. We should read the Bible and interpret it or study on our own to determine meaning and find understanding.
The Priesthood of Believers form a community of believers. We are each personally responsible to God while being related to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. In our community of believers, we find support, love, and fellowship. As a result, we find encouragement and help when we need it the most. Through discipleship we learn from one another as well. This fellowship of believers is what a grace filled church is – the kind of church I want to belong to!
But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. 1 Peter 2:9-10
