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The Father's Business

by Skip Heitzig |
If you think about it, we belong to the greatest company in the world: the church. We have a product and our product works; it's called the gospel. We have offices worldwide. We have pretty great benefits in this company: forgiveness for the past, purpose for the present, and hope for the future. We also have a retirement package that beats every other company's: heavenly rewards and the promise that our Savior will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21).

I like to call it a family business. And for the business to run well:

We need God's people. In 1 Corinthians 12:7, Paul wrote this: "The manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all." We need the gifts that each of us has, and we need all of us working together in concert. The Bible says, "God sets the solitary in families" (Psalm 68:6), and His cure for isolation and loneliness is the family called the church. God designed us to need each other. "And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it" (1 Corinthians 12:26).

We need God's principles. When we gather together, we gather around the Bible. We are what I call a textual community. We believe the Bible to be the Word of God, and that is where we find God's principles. Paul called the church of the living God "the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:15). As we live, we need to hear the sure, steadfast "thus saith the Lord." It's food to our souls.

We need God's purpose. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul wrote, "I do not want you to be ignorant: You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led" (vv. 1-2). The implication is, "This is what you used to be like; you had no purpose. Now you do."

There are a lot of causes you can join, but if you want a cause to live for, live for the salvation cause. When Jesus' parents found Him in the temple answering questions, Jesus said, "Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" (Luke 2:49). If we could wake up every day and say, "I'm going to be about my Father's business because this is what God has called me to do," that's a wonderful, wonderful way to live!

We need God's presence. One of the reasons we gather is because we remember what Jesus said: "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20). We experience God's presence in a very unique way.

If we make church about us ("I'm here because it's all about something I need"), then we have missed the purpose and the focus. However, if we make the focus about Him, learning about Him that we might glorify Him, there's a payback: satisfaction happens. Jesus said, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33).

There are no unnecessary members in the body of Christ. God has you here for a purpose. When you engage with other believers with God's plan and purpose in mind, there's no greater way to live. There's no greater company--or family--to be part of!

In His strong love,

Skip Heitzig

The Daily God Book: Through the Bible in 365 Days

The Daily God Book: Through the Bible in 365 DaysThe Daily God Book: Through the Bible in 365 Days is an innovative devotional by Skip Heitzig. In it, you'll find unique insights on key stories and chapters throughout the Bible, along with points to consider as you read.

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