Ye also, as
lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up
spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5).
In
Christianity, we’re not in a club or a social fraternity; we belong to a
spiritual family of God, and must function actively therein. Some Christians
got into serious problems in life because of their ignorance of this truth.
When Satan seeks to attack a Christian, he first lures that one away from the
family of God; he isolates the individual to make him vulnerable. This is a
long-time strategy of the enemy.
It
parallels the strategy used by the lion against its prey. Lions are said to be
the strongest and most ferocious of animals, but they’re not the biggest,
neither are they necessarily the smartest. When they want to go after a herd of
cattle, for instance, they know they’ll be no match for those huge animals with
long sharp horns. So, what do they do? They harass the herd in a bid to isolate
one of them, and look out for that one that goes astray.
Once they
can cut one off from the herd, or identify one that has gone astray, they focus
their attack on it. The lions don’t just pounce on all of the cattle; that’ll
be suicidal. The devil knows that too. He’s scared of you, and wouldn’t take on
all at once, except the one who has strayed or isolated himself from the
spiritual family, the protective hedge of the Church.
That’s why
you must take your church meetings and fellowship with fellow believers very
seriously. They provide the opportunity for us to strengthen ourselves in the
presence of the Lord. As you share and fellowship with other Christians who
believe the Word like you, you’re fortified.
Stay in the
Church; stay in fellowship with God’s people. There isn’t any one of us who
doesn’t need the other. We need one another. Our opening verse says we’re built
up by God as a spiritual house. It’s not talking about a physical building;
it’s referring to our lives as God’s people. You belong in a spiritual family;
never isolate yourself.
PRAYER: Dear
Father, I thank you for making me a member of your spiritual family, where I’m
taught the Word, trained in righteousness, and strengthened to prevail over all
of life’s challenges. I live triumphantly today, and always, perfected by your
Word, and the Spirit, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER
STUDY: Hebrews 10:25 Ephesians 2:19
1 YEAR
BIBLE READING PLAN: Colossians 1:24-2:1-5, Isaiah 46-47
2 YEAR
BIBLE READING
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