You Are More Than a LabelSample

Lose the Label: Odd Man Out

As believers, we have a part in and belong to the body of Christ. However, Paul encourages us to not wear the label of prideful thinking. Remember, we’re not born with a pre-attached label telling us our roles—we can choose faith to believe in Jesus and attach ourselves to Him. Even though we serve in different roles within the church, Paul says there’s room for everyone who chooses God’s team, thus negating the age-old question, “Do I belong?” 

However, you can’t live in a relationship of grace from a distance. It’s an up-close personal walk with Jesus that benefits you grace upon grace. To live within grace you must surrender, and not wear a label of pride or think too highly of yourself. Otherwise, you will be attached to the world’s standards. And unfortunately, as humans, we’ll attach ourselves to something.

We have an innate need to belong. Maybe you need to hear this: The Lord can’t fill what’s already full. He can’t fill our lives with love and faithfulness when we fill our lives with the comforts of this world. Our spiritual act of worship is a devoted, committed lifestyle, a daily denial of ourselves, and continual acceptance by surrender. The Bible calls this a consecrated way to live. 

It comes down to this simple exercise. Think about a time when you had a few pounds to drop. You made good, healthy food choices. You hit the gym regularly. If you stick with a plan, you reach your goal. But once you achieve those short- term goals, the pressure is off, your behavior slacks off, and you tend to skip over the maintenance work of sticking to your disciplines. A lifestyle based on short-term goals only helps for a short time. 

Gain God’s truth: Don’t lose sight of where you’re going. It’s important to have an up-close relationship with God, not a once-in-a-while, on-and-off-again relationship. Just as the Lord can’t fill what’s already full, you can’t give what you don’t possess. As Paul encourages in Ephesians, we are called to live in unity with Jesus and live in harmony with God daily. Spending time with the Lord will keep you knowing you’re not the odd man out to Him and kingdom work.