WHAT'S YOUR STATUS?

If you're on Facebook, you're all familiar with status.  It used to be that status was where you would write your thoughts, but now that place says "what's on your mind".  Status now (and on some forms that we all have to fill out) refers to your relationship with a significant other. 

Teenagers, as well as many adults, put great pride into their status, enjoying being able to put "IN A RELATIONSHIP" instead of "SINGLE".  Unfortunately, sometimes the status changes from "IN A RELATIONSHIP" or "MARRIED" or "ENGAGED" to "SINGLE".  There is something about having a relationship with someone - whether young teens who are just beginning to date, an engaged young man and woman, a newly married husband and wife, or even with those of us who have been married a long time (yes, 22 years is a long time!).  We like that feeling of having someone...of not being alone.  I can't imagine how it would be to have to fill out a form that says "WIDOWED" for the first time.  Our statuses change.

But, there is a status that is much more import than any Facebook information list and more important than any form we may fill out.  WHAT'S YOUR STATUS WITH JESUS?  Would he list you as "IN A RELATIONSHIP" with Him???? 

In all of the relationships we can have, our relationship with Jesus is more important than that of any other.  It's not enough just to know who He is and believe that He is God's Son and be baptized, although all of those things are extremely important. But our status with Jesus doesn't stop at any of those moments. They are just the beginning of that new relationship.  It doesn't end...it's a continual thing.

So, what else must we do to keep that "IN A RELATIONSHIP" status?

WE MUST ABIDE IN HIM
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.  John 15:4-5

WE MUST STRIVE TO IMITATE HIM
Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1
 
WE MUST FOLLOW HIM
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. 1 Peter 2:21-22
 
WE MUST SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 (Note:  to find out what "things will be given" read all of Matthew 6.)
 
What's your status with Jesus?  Only you and God can answer that!