Born to Build - Part 1

What defines a Christian? What defines the church? Most people have some concept of religion and spirituality, but is that what God wants? The Bible clearly lays out what it means to be a Christian and what the church should look like in the world.

Our purpose as Christians can be described in these four foundational parts: Know God, find freedom, discover purpose, and make a difference. Every Christian is called to experience these four things. Another way to put it is that once we come to Christ, our lives should be about believing, belonging, becoming, and building.

These are the core values of the New Testament Church. We believe that everyone has been created by God with these four things hard-wired into their spiritual DNA.

My recent articles have unpacked the first three values. So, let’s move on to the fourth one, which is that you were designed to make a difference.

There is a natural desire in everyone’s heart to make a difference with their lives. All of us were created by God with a purpose of making a difference in the lives of others.

The Bible says in Jeremiah 1:5a (MSG), “Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you.”

Previously, we learned that God has given you a Spiritual S.H.A.P.E., which stands for spiritual gifts, heartfelt burdens, abilities, personality, and experiences.

All of these things work together to make up our Spiritual S.H.A.P.E. When you discover how God made you to “be,” then you can discover what God made you to “do.”

As you develop your Spiritual S.H.A.P.E., you will begin to find your ministry sweet spot. That’s where you are serving the Lord within the Body of Christ and you know that you are doing what He created you to do.

But why would God even bother doing all of that? Why is your Spiritual S.H.A.P.E. important? Why even worry about developing your ministry sweet spot or even serving in the church at all?

I mean, you’re already saved, right? You’re a good person? Especially when you compare yourself to those bad people out there. And besides, you’ve got a lot going on. You have important things to squeeze into your schedule. Why should serving within the body of Christ float to the top of your priority list?

Well, there’s a very good answer for that. You were created with a divine design so you can fulfill God’s plan for your life and serve His purpose for the world.

God really does have a wonderful plan and purpose for you, and your life will never make sense until you find, develop, and fulfill that purpose.

(You can hear Pastor John’s devotions on The Bridge Radio 88.7 FM or by logging on the www.thebridge.fm or www.newhorizonfamily.com)