Daily Devotion: The Household of Christ

Scripture:
Ephesians 2: 11-22

Main Verse:
Ephesians 2: 19
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household.

Observation:
The church itself is instituted by Christ and each member has a role in the household of Christ. A strong household is one in which the members know, understand, and perform their functions. In the family, although times have changed, there are certain roles that still remain. Many fathers are still the family's provider while the mother takes care of the children. In a bigger household, there are house helpers who perform domestic duties and a chauffer who drives for the family. The church, which is made up of different members who perform different roles, cannot function properly if one is missing because the role of that member cannot be performed by another one. In other words, if a member is a teacher, that is his function in the church. If one is called to be a song leader, it is her function. Not everyone is called to be a teacher or a song leader, or a pastor or a prophet, but everyone has an important role in the church, even if you are only an ordinary church member. Can you imagine how disorderly the church would be if everyone was preaching?

Application:
As members of the body of Christ, we all have roles to perform. And remember, the roles that we perform in church are crucial because they help equip each member for works of service, so that every member may be built up (Ephesians 4: 11). Therefore, as members of Jesus's household, our first responsibility is to attend church regularly. The Lord's command is to respect the day of Sabbath, so if we are not attending church, then we are breaking God's command. It is our responsibility to study the Gospel. When we attend church, we have an opportunity to hear God's voice through the preaching. If you are praying to know God's will, then attend church. The Lord speaks to us through his appointed men. Finally, we are responsible that each member does not fall into sin. We should keep every member away from sin, not lead them to sin. If we treat everyone in church like a true brother and sister, we should make sure that our brothers and sisters in Christ increase in their faith and they are growing spiritually.

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for establishing your Church and for appointing men and women for works of service. Even though I have a small role in your church, please help me perform this role adequately and competently, so that I may encourage others in their faith. May my brothers and sisters in Christ see in me a life that emulates Jesus's life. AMEN.