In what ways can we demonstrate our faith as "belonging to Christ"? Core Verse “And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:29) What “Belonging to Christ” Means • Ownership: Jesus has purchased us with His blood (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). • Family: We are counted as Abraham’s seed—God’s covenant family. • Inheritance: We share in every promise God made to His people (Romans 8:17). Because this reality is literal and sure, our lives should visibly reflect it. Ways We Demonstrate Our Faith as People Who Belong to Christ 1. Living by the Spirit • “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) • The fruit listed in Galatians 5:22-23—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control—are unmistakable family traits of Christ’s heirs. 2. Showing Christ-like Love • “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35) • Sacrificial, forgiving love mirrors the cross and proves our lineage. 3. Practicing Obedience to Scripture • “Whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him.” (1 John 2:5) • Obedience is not legalism; it is loyalty to the One who owns us. 4. Displaying Good Works Publicly • “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) • Works are evidence, never the cause, of our salvation (Ephesians 2:10). 5. Enduring Suffering with Hope • “If we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” (Romans 8:17) • Perseverance under trial shouts that our treasure is eternal. 6. Guarding Holiness • “Everyone who names the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.” (2 Timothy 2:19) • Moral purity distinguishes Christ’s people from the world. 7. Confessing Christ Openly • “Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32) • Bold witness identifies us as rightful heirs, never ashamed of the gospel. 8. Practicing Generosity • “Freely you have received; freely give.” (Matthew 10:8) • Abraham’s seed blesses others (Genesis 12:2-3 fulfilled through us). 9. Cultivating Unity in the Body • “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28) • Crossing cultural barriers shows we share one spiritual DNA. 10. Walking in Daily Gratitude • “Give thanks in every circumstance; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) • Thankful hearts declare confidence in God’s promises to His heirs. Putting It All Together If we truly “belong to Christ,” our identity, conduct, speech, and relationships become living proof. The same power that made us heirs enables us to display these traits today, so that the world sees inheritors of an unbreakable promise walking in step with their King. |
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