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Community reflects the very nature of our triune God. Genesis 1:26-27 describes God creating man in His image: “Let us make mankind in our image… So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” The plural “us” speaks directly to the relational essence of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in perfect communion as the Godhead. His creating mankind as relational beings reflects His own relational nature.
God’s relational design is demonstrated again in Genesis 2:18 when He declares “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Even in the sinless paradise of Eden with intimate communion with God, human beings needed human community. You are created as a social being, designed to flourish with others, not to suffer in isolation.
The church, as described in the New Testament, is a Spirit-led community of believers. Ephesians 2:19-22 defines the Church as God’s household and temple: “You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 elaborates further: “'Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ ... Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
As in the body, many members with different functions form one body. “The eye cannot say to the hand ‘I have no need of you’”. v21 Diversity is not a threat to unity but essential for functioning as God designed. In like fashion, “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” v26 True community requires shared experiences and mutual concern.
Acts 2:42-47 portrays early church life: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. “
Christian community provides balance, wisdom, love, comfort and grace producing enduring growth into maturity in Christ. The New Testament contains over 50 “one another” commands that can only be filled in community.
Love one another: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34
Serve one another: ”Serve one another humbly in love.” Galatians 5:13 Practical service develops Christ-like character.
Bear one another’s burdens: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. “ Your community is designed to carry what you cannot carry alone; you can help carry another’s burden in community that they cannot carry alone.
Encourage on another: “Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Community provides strength when you are weak; you minister sustaining strength when another is weak.
Confess sins to one another: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16 Your honesty and vulnerability in community can produce Spirit-led prayer that leads to healing. “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” So also, your prayer can free or heal another.
Teach and admonish one another: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom." Colossians 3:16. Your spiritual growth occurs through the loving correction and wise counsel of fellow believers, both as the giver and the receiver.
Show hospitality to one another: "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling." 1 Peter 4:9. Opening your home, your heart and your life build genuine relationships.
Pray for one another: "Pray for one another." James 5:16. "I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people." 1 Timothy 2:1) Your intercessory prayer creates unity and invites God's work in another’s life, just as their prayers produce a harvest in your life.
Submit to one another: "Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ." Ephesians 5:21. Your placing others' interests above your own creates a community dynamic for mutual submission.
Accept one another: "Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." Romans 15:7. Accepting differences within community allows each individual’s gifts to flourish for the benefit of all.
Forgive one another: "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 Forgiveness births safety in community.
Each of these commands are essential for you as an individual (and your community) to maintain and growth faith. Just as Proverbs 27:17 states: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another”, spiritual growth and protection require community. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up … Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
These passages reinforce that spiritual growth and maturity are not solitary pursuits, but are fostered within the context of community. This requires:
□ regular gatherings beyond Sunday services;
□ vulnerable relationships within small groups where you are truly known;
□ using your gifts in service to multiple ministries;
□ speaking truth in love;
□ carrying another’s burdens;
□ sharing to meet another’s needs;
□ embracing accountability for growth and protection from sin;
□ persevering humility through conflict and disappointment; and
□ Spirit-powered grace and unity for His glory.
This kind of community is costly – requiring time, energy, vulnerability and sacrifice.
It is the kind of community Christ wants to reveal to the world. John 13:35 records Christ saying: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Jesus connects the world’s belief in His redemptive mission with the unity of believers. In John 17:20-23 prays to the Father: “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you . May they also be in us so … the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” When Christians genuinely love and live in generosity, joy, worship and unity despite differences of background, race, class, and personality, it demonstrates supernatural transformation that validates the gospel's power.
Are you joined in power with community?
Someone’s eternity depends on it!
Awaken the sleeper!