27th July 2023
Live in community
…in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Romans 12:5 (NIVUK)
Our culture is an individualistic one. Just think of how many times you see the word ‘personal’ used in our society: personal pensions, personal loans, personal stereos, personal trainers, personal computers. We even have personalised number plates on our cars.
There is a danger that as Christians we might fall into this ‘personal’ trap when we speak of things like ‘my personal walk with God’ or ‘fulfilling my personal potential’. It’s as if we can live the Christian life all on our own and no one else matters.
But God has made us gregarious creatures: people who need others to survive, materially, emotionally, and spiritually and consequently the New Testament is full of the language of community. It speaks of a flock, a kingdom, a nation, a family, a household, and on the day of Pentecost the Christian community: the church, was inaugurated.
God has called us into fellowship with others and he knows that we cannot develop and flourish as Christians without relationships and the help and support of others.
After telling us that as Christians we form one body and belong to one another, the Apostle Paul goes on to show how individuals in the Christian community should relate to each other: ‘Live in harmony with one another…’ (Romans 12:16), and ‘Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.’ (v.13). This sounds like the kind of Christian community I want to be a part of.
So, let’s acknowledge that we can’t get by on our own, and get to know one another in our Christian communities. Let us ‘…not [give] up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but [encourage] one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.’ (Hebrews 10:25). Let’s get involved with one another. Let’s share our lives together, and ‘Accept one another…just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.’ (Romans 15:7).
The Christian life is a commitment to Christ, but it is more than that. In Christ we also have a commitment to other Christians, as Jesus himself said, ‘…As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’ (John 13: 34-35).
Prayer
Father, thank you for placing us in your church and giving us brothers and sisters with whom we can share our lives. Help us to love one another so that the world may know we are Jesus’s disciples. In his name we pray, Amen.
Study by Barry Robinson
About the writer:
Barry Robinson is a minister in Grace Communion International and Regional Pastor for Southern England.
Local congregation:
Grace Communion International Camberwell
The Salvation Army Hall
105 Lomond Grove
Camberwell
London SE5 7HN
Local congregational contact:
Barry Robinson
Email: camberwell@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church