A police officer pulled a driver aside and asked for his license and registration. “What’s wrong, officer?” the driver asked. “I didn’t go through any red lights, and I certainly wasn’t speeding.”
“No, you weren’t,” said the officer, “but I saw you waving your fist as you swerved around the lady driving in the left lane, and I further observed your flushed and angry face as you shouted at the driver of the Hummer who cut you off, and then you pounded your steering wheel when the traffic came to a stop near the bridge.”
“Is that a crime, officer?”
“No, but when I saw the ‘Jesus loves you and so do I’ bumper sticker on the car, I figured this car had to be stolen.”
Ha! Caught! You know, Christians should act like Christians. We are God’s family.
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household. – Ephes. 2:19 (NIV)
If you are a Christian, you are not just a member of an organization, but a member of God’s family. You have a new dad, God, and a new set of brothers and sisters-other Christians. Being a part of God’s family is like being in a natural family; we have both rights and responsibilities.
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”…Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ… – Romans 8:15-17 (NIV)
God has forgiven our sins, He has given us right standing with Him, peace in our hearts, and a joy that can sustain. He has committed to provide for us abundantly in this life, He has made promises for our children, given us heaven as our eternal home… and the list goes on and on. We have rights as a part of His family.
We also have responsibilities. Just like in a natural family, we have chores to do. We are to love and serve one another.
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. – 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
It seems people use their gifting everywhere except the church! We are good leaders at work, relating well to others, doing good to people-except in church! Your boss can count on you for everything, but not your pastor. The children all over the neighborhood and all your child’s friends love you, but the kids in your church children’s ministry don’t even know who you are. We may be faithful and committed at work, but we want no responsibility at church….
People say, “The pastor is just trying to get me to work more!” It is not about duty. It is about gratitude.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is your true and proper worship..” – Rom 12:1 NIV
The reason we serve is the cross of Jesus Christ. Think first about all the sins He has forgiven you in view of His mercy. How about the times you were in terrible trouble, and cried out to Him and He helped you? We love and serve His people because He first loved and served us.
When you became a Christian, you became a part of the most wonderful and powerful family on earth. We have a great Dad and this great family deserves our commitment. He is good and He is also strict, just like a good dad should be. Honor what He has done for you by doing what He said. Show up at His family gatherings and find your place of service.