When you think about life, the Bible and God's plan for us, it is amazing to think and believe that God chose us. God chooses to use us to build His kingdom. God chooses us to share his love. God chooses us to share His Son, Jesus Christ, to the world. We are called by the Son to go and make disciples unto all the world. Remember the important narrative here in that God chooses us!In His wonderful creation and word, God shows us the importance of community. After all, in the beginning God created (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit) everything. The older I get the more I see man's hypothesis and science give way to the Truth, to the Way and to the life given to us by God the Father. God shows us the importance of community by Himself, His Son and His Spirit who are three-in-one and one-in-three. That is a concept that is way above my understanding, yet when you test it against the truth in Scripture that is the only way that it could be. God gives us community by the living, breathing, and awe-inspiring love that He has for us.
Ephesians 3:9-10 (ESV) 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in[a] God who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV) 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Community is a very important part of God's mission. God made us to be in community, we crave community. He exemplifies true community in the Holy Trinity. He wants to model this some community in the Church, the body of Christ. We are to love each other and to continue to do good to each other in brotherly (and sisterly( love). The more that we let the Spirit bless us with His fruit (for the Fruit of the Spirit is: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control). This is fruit that should pour out of our lives, in community, when we bear the name Jesus as Savior.
When Jesus was on this earth he exemplified this model to us all through walking with His disciples and having them walk with others along the way. Remember, in the Gospels, that there was a point where Jesus sends out the disciples two by two and Scripture reveals to us that there are 70 disciples plus the twelve with Jesus. Where did these 70 come from? The answer is simple: Through community.
Do you remember where Jesus is talking to Peter about the church and references him in regards to on this rock, he will build His church. This is not a reference to any specific religion, rather, this is referencing the Church - God's church.
When we are in community and doing God's will, then we can see His purpose and wonderful path that he has for each and everyone of us. How can we do this:
Be in community
Serve together
Share God's love story together
Read the Bible daily
Pray often
Walk with other brothers (if you are a man) and with other sisters (if you are a woman)
In all you do, do in love and forgiving each other (in the church) as God has forgiven you
Love one another
In all you do, Coram Deo.
Blessings,
Dante