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The Church has been a welcoming community that supports, challenges, and disciplines me to be a better individual. These are all shared experiences that I experience not just for myself but with my fellow community.

The Church is not an individual institution; it's a lifestyle led by people sharing the same path.

It's extremely important for us believers to find a group to belong in. Just like finding like-minded people in the workplace, the Church helps us stay connected and discover more about ourselves and our potential. However, it's essential to address that no church is perfect.

Recognizing the things that can be improved in an institution is the first step toward growth. This is why it's vital to spot imperfections in yourself and before looking at the communities you're in. 

It's our imperfections that make us more willing to take the necessary steps to be better individuals. It's in recognizing our weaknesses and vulnerabilities that make us strong. This is why we have scripture to guide us during hard times.

Learning from the verses of Romans 12

Paul took the eleven chapters in Romans to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. But in chapter 12, Paul changes his teaching of theology to that of instruction.

Paul's letters instruct us to live a life of taking God's mercy by example. Being aware of his magnificent mercy towards us forces us to build a life of forgiveness towards others, But how can we apply it in our lives today? Let's follow each verse and identify what lessons we can learn from it.

Romans 12:1 'To offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.'

As followers of Jesus, we must live life selflessly to worship God fully. This means offering everyday sacrifices to those in need.

Romans 12:2 'Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.'

Remember that our worldly and material desires are inferior to God's true plan. This is why you should be open to embracing God's will and be ready to head his call.

Romans 12:3 'For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: do not think of yourself more highly than you ought..'

Receiving God's Mercy is not a sign of privilege but a humbling experience. This reminds us that God, who is much more than anything, still welcomes us with his Grace. This is a call to emulate his example and put others' needs above our own.

Romans 12:5 'So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.'

Paul reminds us of our role of being a part of a greater whole, a church that belongs not for themselves but for others.

Romans 12:6 'We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith…

'Lastly, we are called to use our God-given abilities to be of benefit to others. This is where teaching and being of service to our community give us the best experience of growth.

Building the Church Is a Group Effort

While it's crucial to take these teachings and apply them to your own life, it's even more vital to share these lessons with the Church you belong in. Remember that your path toward spirituality is as much a personal journey as it is a communal one. This makes the improvement of one the improvement of all. Through a unified effort of improving ourselves, you'll realize that you're making a noticeable difference in the Church for the greater good.

Belonging is a feeling that we all want to experience, which is why willingness to be a part of something greater than yourself is the first step to acceptance. No matter what walk of life you're from, like Jesus, we will embrace you with open arms as we navigate through life's ups and downs. Join the Game Changer Community and discover how you can be the best version of yourself while following God's grace.