Do You Belong?

It takes knowledge and understanding for someone to listen and follow. As the common proverb says, “knowledge is power”. Knowing something makes a lot of difference. It widens the perspective. It leads to understanding. When people reach the point of understanding, it is easier for them to follow the vision or any undertaking being fostered. People tend to follow someone they know personally or something they understand.

Anyone who leads understands the crucial factor credibility plays in the ability of a leader to influence people to believe in the mission, follow the command, and display consistency in their support and involvement. Credibility depends on how people around perceive, know, and understand the personality and capabilities of the leader. It depends on the track record of the leader. An excellent track record of combined experience, skill, and character leads to solid credibility of the leader. People will automatically believe and follow because they know and understand how the leader works.

The same thing happens in our walk with God. We could not believe in God, follow Him, and consistently obey Him if we do not know God personally and if we do not understand how credible, dependable, trustworthy, faithful, and righteous God is. My faith grows each time I learn more about God. When I reached an understanding of how faithful God is the more I trust Him and the more I am convicted to obey Him even in difficult situations. Knowledge of God and His Word are vital in our walk of faith. It is impossible for a person to listen to God’s will and obey Him unless one has gained an understanding of who God is. Let us then pray Paul’s prayer like he prayed for the Christians in Ephesus that we may be able to understand how wide and deep the love of God has for us so we may be filled with the fullness of God.

“For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God

– Ephesians 3:14-19 (WEB)

He who is of God, hears the words of God. Those who belong to God, know God and know His voice. Because they know God, they listen to Him. People who do not listen to the words of God, do not know God at all. Even when they profess that they believe in God or that they know God, they do not belong to God. The devil believes in God (James 2:19) but turned a deaf ear to God’s will and commands. The devil even quoted Scriptures to tempt Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11) but he never submitted to God. The devil does not belong to God even when he believes there is one God and shudders at that. Only those who obey the words of God are truly of God. They are the people who received God’s revelation of truth deep within their heart. They understand the truth. Their eyes and ears have opened to the truth.

“He who is of God hears the words of God. For this cause you don’t hear, because you are not of God.”

– John 8:47 (WEB)

These were the words of Jesus to the Jews who were questioning Him in disbelief of His Words and the truth. Because the unbelieving Jews did not belong to God, they did not understand what Jesus said and they did not believe in Jesus.

Do not be surprised when there are people who do not listen to God’s words and they go their own way and do what please them. Do not be shocked when there are people who profess to believe in God but do not obey God or listen to His words. The Bible says they are not of God. They do not belong to God’s kingdom.

“Jesus answered them, ‘I told you, and you don’t believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, these testify about me. But you don’t believe, because you are not of my sheep, as I told you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.’”

– John 10:25-27 (WEB)

Do you belong to God?