Why Make The Effort To Do Things Together in Community

 COMMUNITY – TOGETHER WE CAN

God’s plan has always been that we share our lives with one another.  God acted first on this principle by sending Jesus to earth to show His great love for us and then He gave us the Holy Spirit to empower and encourage us. 

As disciples of Christ who are embracing His love and walking in His ways, God invites us to do as He has done – to come together, to spend time together, and to love and care and support one another as He has loved and cared for us.

Here's what that looked like in the early days of the community of Jesus followers:

And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Acts 2:44-47

Look at all the things these folks did together.  As they did these things, others saw something in these people that stirred their desire to change their ways and seek this life they were witnessing in the community of faith.  I think that’s a challenge to us to think about leaving our screens behind and be with people.

It’s important to have friends we respect, friends who will listen to us and be vulnerable with us as well.  Followers of Jesus make it a priority to be with others and to lift them up. 

You, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith. And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives. 

Jude 1:20a, 22-23

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the life we have with You.  Help us to do an honest inventory of our lives in community and to take appropriate action. 

We are known as the people of God, so help us to be a people, not a scattering of individual persons pursuing their own self-centered agenda each day. 

Help us to be humble, and to admit our need to both receiving help from others and to being a support to people in need if we are going to experience a balanced and satisfying life, and most of all, follow Your example in how to be together.  Amen

What would need to change for you and I to be more involved with others today?  Let’s adjust.  Have a great day.