Our Lord Jesus Christ did not merely found a religion. Rather, He established the kingdom of God. Therefore, the people who make up His kingdom or church (Matthew 16:18-19) are subject to the Lordship of Jesus. They live by the standards of righteousness of the kingdom of God. Jesus Christ is the Head, and His disciples are the members of His body (Colossians 1:18).
This body has only one Spirit—the Holy Spirit; only one heart—a new heart; only one mind—the mind of Christ; only one line of thinking—the Word of God; only one faith—a supernatural faith (in origin, Romans 10:17); only one character—God’s character; only one guidance—the guidance of the Spirit of Jesus (2 Peter 1:20-21).
Anyone who is not in the body of Christ does not belong to the Lord Jesus. There is no use confessing Jesus as Lord if you do not obey Him or calling on Him if you do not listen to Him. Jesus said, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46 NKJV). There is no benefit from attending a church assembly if you don’t behave as the Bible—particularly, the New Testament—teaches. For one to be in Jesus or to be a member of His body, a person must be born of water and the Spirit (John 3:3-5).
Especially Christians need to demonstrate in their behavior and speech that they abide by the Word of God. Impenitent, erring Christians ultimately will be rejected and vomited out like spoiled meat (Revelation 3:16). Sins sometimes observed even among Christians include hostility, gossip, prejudice and destructive criticism. “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking” (1 Peter 2:1). This type of behavior corresponds to the ungodly world and ought not to be known among the children of God (Romans 12:1-2; James 4:4). The Lord’s church is supposed to be different from the world! “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8-10).
To be a Christian is to be owned and led by the Spirit of Christ. “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His” (Romans 8:9).
