“He raised us up together . . in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:6 Amplified Bible
“Involvement in a church family is not optional; it is essential.”
My thoughts today are about “all for one, and one for all.”
As a boy, I enjoyed reading the adventures of the dashing and courageous Three Musketeers. (Alexandre Dumas, famous French author, 1800s)Their oath was “one for all, and all for one.” That’s the way the Church is supposed to be. Individually, you and I are more prone to attempt “going it alone,” which results in a loneliness you may not recognize or define. Though any of us are better together, each of us is more inclined to keep some measure of separation, close but not too close, involved yet discreetly apart. You see; sin separates. It always has and always will.
Estrangement is more natural to the unredeemed than community, and the redeemed remain susceptible to its effect. Man’s fallen nature creates distance – between you and God, you and others, and even you internally – between who you are and who you are meant to be. The Psalmist cried out of his desperation, “Unite my heart to fear your Name.” Psalm 86:11.
The Christian life is lived in community, not singularly. You were redeemed to be reconciled in order to facilitate righteous relationships – with God and others. It is interesting that the Bible usually speaks of Christians in a plural, collective sense. Peter wrote, “You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a royal priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God.” 1 Peter 2:1 NAS.
As he continues to describe the new life that you have received in Christ he describes what we together have become, “you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people . . for you once were not a people, but now are the people of God. 1 Peter 2:9-10 NKJV. Did you notice the plural figures of speech that were used consistently in the above verses – a generation, priesthood, nation, and people?
When you become a member of God’s family, you pledge an allegiance to God, but you also embrace a membership and loyalty to every other member of the family, to love, support, and encourage one another. You will know the fullness in God’s heart for you when you enjoy the shared life God intends for you. A very practical expression of that principle is your interest and regular interaction with a local church in meaningful and practical ways. Involvement in a church family is not optional; it is essential. It is not only a good thing; it is the right thing.
Here’s the Bible principle: “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 NIV. Some people are not very regularly sharpened. Maybe that’s why some Christians live dull lives, feeling unhappy and unfulfilled without realizing why. They genuinely love Jesus, but without consistently enjoying the joy and life He brings.
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 11:25 NIV. Those words were never meant to pressure a larger number into the Sunday congregation; they are meant to bring every Christ-follower into real and functional community with Jesus and one another. However, I am not sure how well or consistently the last happens apart from the first. You have something to give that others need and without which you and they will be less than would best for one and all.
My prayer for you today is to have a contributing role in the community of faith.