Belong (2 of 4)
Series: The Basics of the Christian Life
Tim Melton
Genesis 2:18
Take a moment and think of where you have felt the strongest sense of belonging? Was it because of the location. . . or the people. . . or about the memories. . . or maybe it was the safety. . . or the familiarity? Maybe it is at home in your country, with your people and your culture. Maybe it is with a cherished friend who always speaks truth but always accompanies it with grace. Maybe it was with a group of people with whom you had many shared experiences. Maybe you think of several places, or maybe no place at all.
In Christ we find the place of belonging that we all long for, the place of perfect truth, endless grace and unconditional love. For all who believe in Jesus Christ, this is how our story will end, in heaven, in the presence of God, where we belong. This is the end of the story, but we have to know the beginning of the story to appreciate the end.
Belonging has been God's plan for us from the beginning.
In Genesis 1 we read the Creation story. We read how God created our world and ''it was good.'' All was good, except for one thing. In Genesis chapter 2 God saw that it was not good for Adam to be alone. We do not know if Adam was actually lonely or was even familiar with the concept of loneliness. He was in perfect relationship with God. Adam lacked nothing, but Adam was alone. So, God created the first woman, Eve (Genesis 2:18).
For God's purposes in this world Adam needed a companion. God's purposes would not be possible through one person living a life of solitude. In these verses we see that belonging to one another would be an essential part of God's plan on earth. And so it began, God, Adam and Eve in perfect communion and belonging.
In Genesis 3 we then read of Adam and eve´s rebellion against God. Immediately, in the verses following, they realized their shame and their nakedness and sought to hide from the One who had created them. Bel ...
Series: The Basics of the Christian Life
Tim Melton
Genesis 2:18
Take a moment and think of where you have felt the strongest sense of belonging? Was it because of the location. . . or the people. . . or about the memories. . . or maybe it was the safety. . . or the familiarity? Maybe it is at home in your country, with your people and your culture. Maybe it is with a cherished friend who always speaks truth but always accompanies it with grace. Maybe it was with a group of people with whom you had many shared experiences. Maybe you think of several places, or maybe no place at all.
In Christ we find the place of belonging that we all long for, the place of perfect truth, endless grace and unconditional love. For all who believe in Jesus Christ, this is how our story will end, in heaven, in the presence of God, where we belong. This is the end of the story, but we have to know the beginning of the story to appreciate the end.
Belonging has been God's plan for us from the beginning.
In Genesis 1 we read the Creation story. We read how God created our world and ''it was good.'' All was good, except for one thing. In Genesis chapter 2 God saw that it was not good for Adam to be alone. We do not know if Adam was actually lonely or was even familiar with the concept of loneliness. He was in perfect relationship with God. Adam lacked nothing, but Adam was alone. So, God created the first woman, Eve (Genesis 2:18).
For God's purposes in this world Adam needed a companion. God's purposes would not be possible through one person living a life of solitude. In these verses we see that belonging to one another would be an essential part of God's plan on earth. And so it began, God, Adam and Eve in perfect communion and belonging.
In Genesis 3 we then read of Adam and eve´s rebellion against God. Immediately, in the verses following, they realized their shame and their nakedness and sought to hide from the One who had created them. Bel ...
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