Anyone who loves another brother or
sister is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble.
In the
last month or so I have found myself in several situations that are defined by
the word community. The situations are
from a wide range of happenings; from a local organizations I am part of to a
spiritual retreat I went on; to some friendships that encourage me big time.
It was
over six years ago that I read an article that challenged the way I think of
what community is. In fact the way I
understand community was changed in big ways not long before The Community
Fellowship became a church. I am
challenged every time I think about the word and challenged even more when
people share the understanding God has given them.
Community
is not about where you live. That word
does define where you live, but I am referring to the fact that Christians from
many different locations can make up a community. It is when those people come together, even
not very often, but when they do, there is something that draws them together
and encourages them.
Literally
community is a group of believers united around a cause that is bigger and more
important than themselves. Community can
be called a church because a church in it’s purest form is the community that
God made to help us live life, find abundance and to encourage one another
through.
I am
encouraged by true community. Community
is when like-minded believers encourage one another. Community happens when we share what God is
doing in our lives and that encourages or challenges others. Community is when your life finds meaning and
when you are linked to other Christians.
It is
my understanding of our God and His plan for our lives that He desires for us
to live in and thrive in community with other believers. When we distance ourselves from people, we
won’t experience the community God created for us. When we join forces to serve others, to
fellowship and spend time with other Christians, we will experience the
community that God created for us to enjoy.
It’s
called community, and we need to experience it.
Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s
summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another
will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and
another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must
strengthen all of you.
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