Dec 21, 2009
Christian LivingChurch and MinistryThe Church
Finding Your Identity
R.C. Sproul
Ephesians 4:11–15
Several images are used in the Bible to describe the church: the body of Christ, the elect, the house of God, the saints. One of the most meaningful expressions the Bible uses is “the people of God,” the laos theon.

The church, then, is people. The Roman Catholic Church once declared, “Where the bishop is, there is the church.” The Reformation declared, “Where the people of God are, there is the church—the church under the Lordship of Christ and indwelt by the Holy Spirit.”

The church is neither a building nor the clergy nor an abstract institution—it is the people of God. When Martin Luther articulated his vision of the priesthood of all believers, he did not denigrate the legitimate role of the clergy. He understood that Christ has given pastors and teachers to His church, along with other offices, with specified tasks. What Luther was getting at, however, is that the priestly ministry of Christ is passed on in some measure to every believer.

Coram Deo
Give thanks that you are part of the body of Christ, the elect, the people of God.

"I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it." (NLT) -Mark 10:15
Children have a unique ability to accept things at face value. They place a great amount of faith in what they are told. As adults, it gets more difficult to blindly place our faith in the Kingdom of God. The Lord is trustworthy, He will not fail you. Dig deep inside to your inner child and step out in faith. Looking through the lens of your younger self, what can you trust God with today?

To live a life alone with God does not mean that we live it apart from everyone else. The connection between godly men and women and those associated with them is continually revealed in the Bible,

Love one another.
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. (NLT) -John 13:34
These words come directly from Jesus and sum up God’s heart for how we are to engage the people around us. Jesus gives up his life for us as the ultimate example of sacrificial love. It’s his example that we aspire to follow. Let love guide you.

If we want to grow closer to the Lord and build up our faith then we have to invest in spending time reading God’s word. The Bible refreshes our soul and it’s words help remind us that we serve a good and faithful God. God’s word brings us wisdom and guides us when we are unsure what the next right step is. Take time to read his words daily, in order to grow your faith.