PLANTED…

An essential part of our Christian journey I have come to find out is being Planted in the House of God, being Planted in the body. So, it should not be enough to just say you are a Christian, being Planted is also important. By planted I mean putting down roots with a community of believers. Running this race alone is basically an impossible task because even the early Christians did not do it by themselves or in isolation from the rest.

Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.

Psalm 92:13 [AMP]

In simple terms, the House of God is a community of believers, the church. It is important to find a church that strictly follows the principles of the bible and teaches its members to do so. It is important to be in a church that God himself has directed you to be in but before getting this revelation start by joining a church that helps you grow spiritually. The Bible discourages isolation, because in there is encouragement, comfort, strength, and love in the company of true believers.

[24] and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, [25] not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.

Hebrews 10:24-25 [AMP]

Being Planted is not just about receiving or focusing on what the church can give, we also need to give back. Giving back should not only be financial, even though that is important, but we should give back with our service. The benefit of encouragement, comfort, strengthening people when weak, and financial aid are all provided by people, we should all give back by taking on one or more of these responsibilities. To be Planted in a church means to follow the vision of the church as best you can. The vision of any bible believing church should be in line with the mandate we have been given by Christ which is to Love God with all our hearts and Love our neighbours as ourselves.

Jesus answered, “The first and most important one is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord; [30] and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul (life), and with all your mind (thought, understanding), and with all your strength.’ [31] This is the second: ‘You shall [unselfishly] The key to understanding this and other statements about love is to know that this love (the Greek word agape) is not so much a matter of emotion as it is of doing things for the benefit of another person, that is, having an unselfish concern for another and a willingness to seek the best for another. love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Mark 12:30-31 [AMP]

What greater ways are there to Love others as ourselves than to focus on the most important thing, the salvation of their souls and helping them grow into the Life God has called them into? Also in John 21: 15-17, Jesus gave a command to those who claim to love Him when He told Peter to Feed and Tend to His sheep. In Summary, the vision of a church you are planted in should be Love focused.

Christ loves us so much that when asked the most important commandment He said to Love and through this He has created a source of strength for when we are weak, for counsel, comfort, and so on. But above all these benefits, he has provided a pathway back to the Father through His sacrifice and all we have to do is genuinely surrender our lives to Him. Ask Him to come into your life today and begin to grow and walk deeper with Him.