Created for Community, Pt. 2
Did you know that we are created for God’s family and the Christian Community?
Question: Have you ever felt completely alone in this world? Yearned for the company of others? Most of us have at some point in our lives.
We need one another! Even in the perfect, sinless environment of Eden, God said in Gen. 2:18, “It is not good for man to be alone.”
While many believers have sought lives of solitude to get closer to God, this was never God’s plan for His people. Following Christ involves more than just believing; it means being part of God’s family and community of faith.
Sixteenth-century Protestant Reformer John Calvin said,
“If God is your Father, then the Church is your mother.”
While justification by faith is personal, our growth as Christians happens both in our relationship with God and in our relationship with others in the body of Christ.
“You are members of God’s very own family, citizens of God’s country, and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian.” Eph. 2:19b TLB
While our relationship with Christ is deeply personal and unique, God always envisioned our faith as a shared journey.
“Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.” Rom. 12:4-5 NLT
We are linked to every other believer for eternity!
Being part of a supportive, caring community at your local church helps you truly thrive and grow. Conversely, one of the first signs that someone might be drifting away spiritually is if they start regularly missing worship services and other church gatherings.
Question: Can we ever be separated from Christ?
Paul gives us the answer:
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 8:38-39 NLT
We can’t be separated from Jesus, nor can we be separated from His body, the eternal church.
The New Testament (NT) encourages involvement with other believers in a local church. Unfortunately, today’s culture of individualism has resulted in many spiritual orphans and disconnected believers who lack identity, accountability, or commitment.
Six Reasons Why You Need a Christian Community 1
#1 Christian community helps to identify you as a genuine believer.
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35 NLT
When we come together in a local church community from diverse backgrounds, races, and social statuses, it serves as a witness to the world.
Together, as His body, not separately, we stand united. Authentic love and concern for others are truly compelling!
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Cor. 13:4-7 NLT
1 Cor. 13 teaches that love does not keep a record of wrongs, trusts the best in others, hopes for the best, and puts others’ needs before self-promotion.
30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31 NIV
Remember to love your neighbor as you love yourself. But think about this—what if your inner voice isn’t very loving, kind, or patient?
Sometimes, unhealed parts of ourselves might lead us to project these feelings onto others. It’s a gentle reminder to nurture ourselves so we can be more loving toward those around us.
#2 Involvement with the community helps you move beyond self-centered isolation.
The local church is like a classroom where we all learn how to get along in God’s family. We learn how to care for each other selflessly.
“If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it. Or if one part of our body is honored, all the other parts share its honor.” 1 Cor. 12:26 NKJV
Regular interaction with other believers is essential for learning genuine fellowship and experiencing the New Testament truth of being connected and dependent on each other.
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Gal. 6:2 NIV
What does it mean to carry someone else’s burden? Law of Christ? Love, mercy, and grace toward others.
#3 Church community helps you grow spiritually.
You will never reach full maturity by just sitting passively in worship services now and then. You need to actively participate for true spiritual growth. Real Christian maturity shows in how we relate to others.
Consider that 83% of Americans identify as Christian; however, only a small portion of this group is connected to a local church or attends regularly.
“He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” Eph. 4:16 NLT
The New Testament uses the phrases “one another” or “each other” more than 50 times. We are told to love, pray for, encourage, admonish, greet, serve, teach, accept, submit to, honor, and forgive one another.
“So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart …” Acts 2:46 NKJV
To build genuine interdependent relationships, you need to spend time with people regularly. Worshipping, serving, and fellowshipping together—even when you don’t feel like it at times.
Worship and prayer might seem easier when you do them alone, with no one to frustrate your preferences, but this is not biblical. Iron sharpens iron. Maturity grows through relationships with others.
African Proverb: “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
#4 Engaging with the church community helps you remain spiritually strong.
None of us is immune to temptation; we can all fall into sin. When we are responsible to others in relationships, they can help us stay on track.
“Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Heb. 3:13 NIV
“Mind your own business” is not a Christian phrase.
W. Bradford Wilcox, a leading sociologist at the University of Virginia and director of the National Marriage Project, finds from his own analysis that “active conservative Protestants” who regularly attend church are 35 percent less likely to divorce than those with no religious affiliation. 2
If you notice someone drifting spiritually, it is your responsibility to reach out and attempt to bring them back into fellowship.
“If you know people who have wandered off from God’s truth, don’t write them off. Go after them. Get them back.” James 5:19 MSG
God assigns shepherd leaders the responsibility to guard, protect, defend, and care for the spiritual well-being of His flock.
“Obey your spiritual leaders…” Heb. 13:17 NLT
#5 The church body needs you to use your gifts and calling.
You have a special place in God’s family. God assigns us roles and ministries, providing us with abilities, talents, and gifts through the Holy Spirit.
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.” 1 Cor. 12:7 NKJV
It’s primarily within the local church that we discover, develop, and use the gifts and talents God has given us. You might have a broader ministry, but that is in addition to your service in a local church body. Jesus has promised to build His church, not your ministry.
#6 From the local church, we participate in Christ’s mission to the world.
The church acts as God’s instrument, representing Christ’s presence on earth. Our goal goes beyond loving one another; we are called to demonstrate His love outwardly. We serve as His hands, feet, eyes, and heart to reach the world.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt. 28:18-20 NIV
We disciple the nations by working together as a family. We thrive when we stay connected and committed within the local church community.
“I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” Matt. 16:18 NLT
The Kingdom of God, as expressed through the church, is God’s plan for the world.
His promise to you and me is that the forces of darkness will not defeat us. That’s comforting! The Church, like His kingdom, is indestructible and will last forever. Local churches may close, but the eternal Church is forever!
It’s an expanding kingdom, a triumphant church because Jesus is the victor!
Final Thoughts
Just as we need Jesus, we also need one another in the church. That’s why we are called a body—each of us members of one another. When one part of the body hurts, we should all share in that pain. When one member experiences a breakthrough, we all should rejoice. This is God’s plan.
As Christians, we need to be actively involved in local church congregations. While we are part of the universal Church, it’s crucial to stay connected, accountable, and maintain healthy relationships with a local church and its leadership.
The enemy often seeks to divide and conquer, whether within a biological family or a church family. When there is division or independence, the family unit will struggle and fail to reach its full potential.
The times we’re living in are tough; it’s not a moment for superficial relationships or distant connections with your local church family.
Grow in your relationship with the Lord and your Passion church community.
Attend regularly, serve faithfully, find a place to get involved, reach out to others, participate in small groups, and finally, share His love with those outside the church—give them a reason to join the family!
