Some would contend that the goal of our life together in Jesus is simply to live and enjoy that life in Jesus.  That IS a great goal, but there's more.  At the end of Acts 2:42-47 we read this statement:  And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.  Jesus came to seek and to save the lost.  Jesus told us it is not the will of our Father in heaven that even one of His little ones should perish.  Salvation is the end goal of our life together--and not just our salvation, but the salvation of all in our spheres of influence.

I know some hold a theology that tells us some are already condemned, while others are saved.  I'm not debating that here (although I don't hold that theology).  I simply point out that when ALL the believers in a local congregation DEVOTE themselves to Bible study (the Apostles' teaching), fellowship, eating together including the Lord's Supper, and prayer, the result is the Lord adds daily to those who are being saved.  Salvation is the Lord's job--clearly.  Jesus is the one who died for the sins of the world, not us.  Yet, when we live our lives together in the love and power of Jesus through His Spirit's leadership in our lives others see that and the end result is they receive salvation.  I don't know how that works, but I believe what happens is when non-believers see believers living Acts 2:42-47 together God convicts there hearts of what is lacking in their lives.  The role model of life together in Jesus IS convicting.  Then God converts those convicted hearts.

Our part in the process is to love them and welcome them.  I've written before of how we must arrange the words belong, believe and behave in that order rather than in the traditional order American churches arrange them: behave, believe, belong.  What I mean by that is when someone joins in our fellowship either through a worship service, L.I.F.E. Home group or one of the activities and ministries we initiate in the community, our task is to welcome them, that is to let them belong.  Over time they will be exposed to the beliefs we hold and will come to accept them through the Spirit's nudging and our consistency in living out the life together, and finally they will start to behave as Jesus did.   In most American churches folks are expected to change their behavior before being accepted into the group. Then they are expected to accept the beliefs of the church, and finally they are given the opportunity to belong as members.

Jesus called people to belonging first--even disciples. (Check out the example of Matthew or Levi in Matthew 9).  Then when they saw Him living out His life, they started to believe in Him, and finally their behavior changed.   Salvation works that way in our lives, and as God's people our part is to live out the faith together so others can see it and join us.  In their belonging they'll move to believing and  behaving, too!

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, our prayer is You will fill us with the Holy Spirit so we will live our lives together in such a way that outsiders will want to become insiders, and so You will add daily to the number of those who are being saved!  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.