The Church of God transcends the lifetimes of those called into it. Since the very beginning, God has chosen people for membership in what the Bible identifies as the “body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 4:12).
Have you ever stopped to think about all those who will be among the firstborn in the Kingdom of God—with whom we now stand (compare Hebrews 11:39-40)?
When we consider those who are our brethren, we tend to think in terms of those who are alive within our immediate fellowship. Yet, we are among generations of faithful men and women who form the Church of God.
Being in the Church of God has great implications for us, for we have been imbued with the Holy Spirit of God, and that makes us part of the Family of God:
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of [sonship] by [which] we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit [itself] bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together” (Romans 8:14-17).
If we can truly understand the significance of our calling, then our service to God becomes even more imperative!
We might think, “What can we do?” Can a relatively small group of Christians really accomplish anything meaningful in the work God has commissioned? The fact is that the Church of God has always been small (Luke 12:32), persecuted (John 15:20; 16:33) and challenged to keep the faith (Jude 1:3). In spite of that, throughout the centuries, true brethren have continued to serve God—to stay in the Church of God and not fall away!
What we must understand and never lose sight of is that Jesus Christ is the living Head of His Church—the Church of God! He knows each one of us. He continues to guide us, if we continue to submit to His lead.
