Do you attend a church or belong to a church?

      Bill's name came up in a discussion around the village coffee table.  Someone then asked the pastor of the First Baptist Church if Bill belonged to First Baptist Church.  The pastor responded, "Bill does not support any of the outside activities of the church, so his influence does not belong to the church.  He does not give any offerings to the church, so his money does not belong to the church.  He never attends, except Easter and Christmas, so his time does not belong to the church.  His name is on the church roll, but I can truthfully say, Bill does not belong to First Baptist Church."
     There is something special about the sense of "belonging".  The young man says to the young woman, "From this day forward, I belong to you."  There is a special feeling of being a part of a team, whether it be a sports team or some other form of unified effort.  Oh, just to be a part of something; to have the feeling of belonging.
     I fear that there are far too many "things" to which we may belong.  It very well could be that Bill belonged to several organizations or groups, to the detriment of the church.  God will not share first place in the life of an individual any more than he will take second place.  Remember, you can not serve two masters for you will love the one and turn away from the other.  Most people are going to have a master.  Either Christ will be your master or sin will be your master.  Which shall it be with you?
     I know from experience in my own life and from observing those around me, if you become a servant to sin it will destroy your life.  Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay and cost you more than you want to pay.
     To "belong" to the church puts you in the same group with the greatest names in the history of the world.  There has never been a movement as great as the church.  No other organization (though the church is more of an organism) has involved the movement of angels in such a manner as the church.  At the birth of the church's founder, angels announced his arrival.  At his death, angel's watched over his borrowed tomb much better than the Roman guards.  Shortly after his resurrection an angel announced that fact.  When he ascended into heaven, angels stood by and reminded the disciples he would come back in like manner.
     Our life will count for naught until we do what we ought.  WHERE DO YOU BELONG?