If You’re a Child of God, You’re Connected to a Family
By Rick Warren
“Christ makes us one body and individuals who are connected to each other” (Romans 12:5b GW).
The church not only helps you center on God. It also helps you connect with other believers.
God did not put you here to live an isolated life. While you’re here on Earth, God wants you to learn to love other people, and he wants you to practice loving others in his family. The Bible says,“Christ makes us one body and individuals who are connected to each other” (Romans 12:5b GW).There’s a connection once you become a child of God; you become a brother or sister.
What is this Body?
“The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much” (Romans 12:5 MSG).
Your spiritual life does not amount to anything if it’s disconnected from the family of God. If I cut off my finger, it’s not only going to stop growing; it’s not going to live. It has to be connected to the body. In the same way, we need each other in the Body of Christ if we want to grow spiritually and fulfill God’s purpose for our lives.
The California Department of Mental Health did a study and discovered that if you isolate yourself from others and you don’t develop close friendships like in a small group, you are three times more likely to die an early death. You’re four times more likely to suffer emotional burnout. You’re five times more likely to be clinically depressed. And you’re 10 times more likely to be hospitalized for an emotional or mental disorder. So for your own mental health, get in a small group! Be a part of the family of God. Get connected.
“You are members of God’s very own family ... and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian” (Ephesians 2:19 TLB).
Playtoday’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>
Talk It Over
- Why do you think God wants you to practice loving other believers here on Earth? What is it practice for?
- How does your meaning change once you view it as part of the Body of Christ?
- How have you grown spiritually since being connected to the Body of Christ?
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Daily Inspiration for The Purpose Driven Life - Gift Edition
Would you like to help your friends and family live the Purpose Driven Life? One of the best ways to stay focused on God’s plan is to stay in God’s Word, and Pastor Rick Warren has an effective resource that will enable YOU to quickly find Bible verses that are indispensible for living a life of purpose.
We call this resource Daily Inspiration for The Purpose Driven Life. In it, Pastor Rick has taken all the key verses that explain how God created each of us for five purposes and put them into an easy-to-use reference tool that will help anyone study and memorize God’s Word.
When you give a gift to support Daily Hope this month we’ll send you a copy of this beautiful book… and if you choose to make your donation a monthly donation, we’ll send you a special signed copy of Daily Inspiration for The Purpose Driven Life to thank you for joining our Partner in Hope team by giving a scheduled gift each month to support Daily Hope.
Thanks for supporting Daily Hope. Your generosity helps us to teach others about God’s plan for their lives — and, thanks to you, we’re taking that message all across the world.
This devotional © 2016 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can also listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.