Topic: You’re Not Alone; You’re Part of a Family [RICK WARREN Devotional 26 November 2024]
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You’re Not Alone; You’re Part of a Family
by Rick Warren — November 26, 2024
“Christ makes us one body and individuals who are connected to each other.”
Romans 12:5 (GW)
The church not only helps you center your life on God, but it also helps you connect with other believers.
God did not put you here to live an isolated life. While you’re 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 12:5 GW).When you become a child of God, you’re connected to other believers as their brother or sister.
The Bible says you’re part of a body. What is this body? The Message paraphrase of Romans 12:5 says it this way: “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” (MSG).
When you’re disconnected from God’s family—the body of Christ—your spiritual life will be weak. It’s like cutting off a finger; a finger dies when it’s separated from the rest of the body. To fulfill its purpose, a finger has to stay connected to a body. In the same way, you need to be connected to other Christians, to the body of Christ, if you want to grow spiritually and fulfill God’s purpose for your life.
A study on mental health revealed that if you isolate yourself from others and don’t develop close friendships (like those 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. We need each other.
No matter your situation, find ways to connect to other believers. Become part of a church family. Join a small group. Get connected. As Ephesians 2:19 says, “You are members of God’s very own family . . . and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian” (TLB).
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 the meaning of your life change when you understand you’re part of the body of Christ?
- How has being connected to other believers helped you grow spiritually?
Where will you spend eternity?
Your sins separate you from God. And it is only God’s grace that allows you back into a right relationship with him.
The Bible says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV). If you’re ready to make peace with your Creator, then pray this prayer:
“Dear Jesus, I don’t want my sin to separate me from you any longer. You have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.
“I confess my sin, and I believe you are my Savior. You have promised that if I confess my sin and trust you, I will be saved. I believe you when you say salvation comes by grace, through faith, and not by anything I do. I receive you into my life as my Lord. Today, I’m turning over every part of my life to your management.
“I want to live the way you created me to live and use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I commit my life to you and ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
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