Called-out ones

Called-Out Ones

Today’s Scripture:

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. – Acts 2:42

Shortly after I became a Christian, I heard a famous preacher speak on “churchianity.” He said, “Don’t confuse churchianity with Christianity. They are not the same. Churchianity will not save you, because the church can’t save. Only Christ can save. And Christianity is Christ.”

Of course, I knew what he was saying. All the same, I grew a bit suspicious of the value of the church and the place of the church in daily life. 

After that night the church intrigued me, and I wanted to find its proper place in my Christian life.

If the church can’t save, what can it do? Is it just a place to go once a week and see our friends and enjoy fellowship with them? Oh sure, we learn more of the Bible each week through the Sunday school class and from the pulpit, but we could do that at home in personal Bible study.

In the Old Testament the people of God were called out from among the nations to be a holy people. In the New Testament you have the same idea. Christians are said to be “called-out ones.” God calls us out of darkness into His marvelous light. We no longer belong to ourselves; Christ has bought us to be His own special people, to live under His authority and enjoy His unmerited love. 

And we are more effective for Him when we are united.

The Bible teaches that the church is made up of every believer in Jesus Christ–anywhere in the world and throughout time. That means the congregations you and I meet with each week are members of God’s 

unique family. Although we may not look like it, Christ calls us His beloved bride. Friend, that’s identity!

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the privilege of being a member of Your family. Amen.

To Ponder

God said, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…” (Hebrews 10:25, KJV).