In our attitude toward God,

• • Let us revere the Holy God (4:1)
  • Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart (10: 22)
  • Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence (4:16)
  • Let us be thankful (12:28)
  • Let us offer to God a sacrifice of praise (13:15)

 In everything that we do,

• • Let us be diligent (4:12)

 In our relationship with one another,

• • Let us spur one another on toward love and good deeds (10:24)
  • Let us encourage one another (10:25)

 Along the spiritual journey,

• • Let us press on to maturity (6:1)
  • Let us run with perseverance (12:2)

 As witnesses to the outsiders,

• • Let us hold firmly to the faith we profess (4:14)
  • Let us hold to the hope we profess (10:23)

 The apostle Paul does not tell us to be like the body of Christ, but that "you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it" (1 Corinthians 12:27).  The apostle Peter echoes Paul's teaching that "you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession" (1 Peter 2:9a).  It is instructive that Peter does not refer to a chosen person, a single priest, or an individual citizen.  To follow Jesus is to be part of a community. Hence, let us roll up our sleeves, join hands, and build our community as a place where members are able to make use of their gifts and feel validated about their abilities; as a place where members respect, appreciate, and celebrate their differences; as a place where members are delighted to use their talents to serve one another; and as a place where members treasure their sense of belonging, grow and support one another.