The NT author puts it this way: "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together --- let us encourage one another." Hebrews 10:24, 25
The OT author is much more poetic but makes the same point: "Two are better than one --- if one falls down his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up. --- Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Eccl. 4:9 - 12
The Triune God has eternally been in community - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Fashioned in the image of God, we are also made for community. For many reasons, it is not good for any of us to live alone. and the NT makes it clear that spiritually it is not good, it is not biblical, for us to live in isolation.
Perhaps you feel you don't need interaction with other believers in order to stay spiritually healthy. You get all you need from Scripture, Christian TV, web sites, books, etc. Well then, think of it this way: other believers need you: "to spur them on toward love and good works." They need you in the local church (see I Corinthians 12) to use your spiritual gift(s) as part of the Body. They need you to help demonstrate through loving relationships that they and you are disciples of Jesus. (John 13:34, 35)
Too many of us, too often, can give up on "the church" or become disappointed with a small group. We all will be bruised at times by the imperfect people in our spiritual family. We will each on occasion hurt another. The answer is not to live in spiritual isolation.
"Let us not give up meeting together". When you - or a friend "falls" - someone(s) need to be there in relationship; ready and willing to pick you up; or you will be there to help her/him get back up. We need each other.
The OT author is much more poetic but makes the same point: "Two are better than one --- if one falls down his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up. --- Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Eccl. 4:9 - 12
The Triune God has eternally been in community - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Fashioned in the image of God, we are also made for community. For many reasons, it is not good for any of us to live alone. and the NT makes it clear that spiritually it is not good, it is not biblical, for us to live in isolation.
Perhaps you feel you don't need interaction with other believers in order to stay spiritually healthy. You get all you need from Scripture, Christian TV, web sites, books, etc. Well then, think of it this way: other believers need you: "to spur them on toward love and good works." They need you in the local church (see I Corinthians 12) to use your spiritual gift(s) as part of the Body. They need you to help demonstrate through loving relationships that they and you are disciples of Jesus. (John 13:34, 35)
Too many of us, too often, can give up on "the church" or become disappointed with a small group. We all will be bruised at times by the imperfect people in our spiritual family. We will each on occasion hurt another. The answer is not to live in spiritual isolation.
"Let us not give up meeting together". When you - or a friend "falls" - someone(s) need to be there in relationship; ready and willing to pick you up; or you will be there to help her/him get back up. We need each other.
No comments:
Post a Comment