The Greatest Privilege in Life

by Rick Warren — March 2, 2022
From How the Church Meets Your Deepest Needs

“God . . . has given us the privilege of being born again so that we are now members of God's own family.”

1 Peter 1:3 (TLB)

A church is not a place you go, and it’s not an event you attend. The church is a spiritual family you belong to—and it’s the most important thing on earth.

Why is the church so important? Because it is God’s family. In fact, the greatest privilege in life is to be part of God’s family—to be able to say, “I’m a member of God’s family. I’m a child of God.”

The Bible says, “God . . . has given us the privilege of being born again so that we are now members of God’s own family” (1 Peter 1:3 TLB).

When you were born physically, you immediately became part of the human race. That wasn’t your choice. But you do have a choice about your spiritual family. When you choose to accept Jesus as your Savior, you are born spiritually, and you become a member of God’s own family.

One of the benefits of being born into God’s family is found in 1 Timothy 3:15: “[God’s] family is the church of the living God, the support and foundation of the truth” (NCV). If you live in an area where there are earthquakes, you know the value of a good foundation. In the same way, when you have the support of a church family, you won’t crumble when life’s earthquakes happen.

Everything on earth will eventually crumble—except the church. No business, school, government, or nation will last forever. Only the church will last forever, because it is built by Jesus, and he’s focused on building his family.

Jesus says in Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it” (NLT).

In a world that’s full of uncertainty, choose to build your life on the only foundation that is guaranteed to last: the secure foundation of God’s family.

Talk It Over

  • In what way has church been just a place you “go to” instead of a place you “belong to”?
  • Do you have a tendency to base your identity on your career, your friends, the things you own, your political party—or anything else—instead of on the truth that you are a child of God?
  • How does it motivate you to share your faith when you know that everything on earth—except for the church—will crumble?

Have you joined God’s family?

If you’re ready to trust God’s promise of salvation and join his spiritual family, then pray this prayer:

“Dear Jesus, you have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.

“I confess my sin, and I receive you into my life as my Lord and Savior. Today, I’m turning every part of my life over to you. I want to follow you and do what you tell me to do.

“Jesus, I am grateful for your love and for your sacrifice that makes it possible for me to join you in heaven. I know I don’t deserve it. And I thank you that I don’t have to earn or work for my salvation, because I know that is impossible. I want to use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I humbly commit my life to you, and I ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at [email protected] and let me know. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.


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