Together

“Until all of us come… to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.”

— Ephesians 4:13

God’s goal is not simply to make us happier. His goal is to make us more like Jesus.

We often come to God because we need something. We need peace. We need forgiveness. We need strength for a hard day. We need hope when life has broken our hearts. God gladly meets us in those places. He comforts, forgives, strengthens, and restores.

But God does not stop there.

He not only wants to give us the blessings of Jesus. He wants to form the life of Jesus within us. And that changes the way we see the church and a lot of other things too.

The church is not a building where we attend religious events. It is not a club that exists to keep its members comfortable. It is not a business that measures success only by attendance, money, or programs.

The church is the body of Christ.

God gives pastors, teachers, leaders, servants, encouragers, and helpers for one purpose: to build up the body. We are here to help one another grow into the likeness of Jesus.

That means the question is not only, “Am I growing?”

The question is also, “Am I helping someone else grow?”

Am I encouraging the discouraged? Am I forgiving the person who hurt me? Am I using my gifts to serve? Am I helping the church look more like Jesus, or am I mainly concerned about getting what I want?

These questions can humble us.

Sometimes we want God’s peace more than we want God. We want His blessings without His leadership. We want Jesus to improve our plans rather than give Him our lives.

But Jesus did not save us so we could remain the center of our own little world.

He saved us to become useful in His kingdom.

Have a great week!

-Pastor Corey