- Christian Community can be loosely defined as “followers of Jesus Christ, that intentionally and positively connect to share in the life of Christ with each other and our world.” Gathering together isn’t nearly enough if there isn’t a sufficient living connection. A wiring harness, like the one pictured below, must be properly installed and in good working order for the vehicle to function properly in the hands of a driver on the road. This is the vehicle’s main communication component, and without it, the vehicles significant potential to carry loads and move people around will not be realized. You and I may not understand how electricity is critical in making the engine run, as well as communicating safely and clearly with other drivers, yet it is still essential. Cars are not legally allowed on the road without a bare minimum of having a working ignition system, functional turn signals and brake lights, night lights, windshield wipers, a horn, etc…
- God has placed a great deal of potential in all of us that can be more effectively utilized when we are functioning together in unity. Eph 4:15 “but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” By and through Him we are joined together in a way that is profoundly edifying to us, and fundamentally functional for Him to express Himself through us in the world. You and I are His body, joined together by the invisible wiring of the Holy Spirit.
- Our potential to glorify God is genuinely expansive! Yet Jesus told us we couldn’t do anything without Him in John 5:19, 30. Perhaps working with Him means more practically working together. I believe much of the New Testament affirms this. In Christ each of us has calling and a great deal of potential for bringing God glory. Based on Eph 4, 1Cor 12, and Rom 12, as well as many “one another” references throughout the New Testament, this potential is much more likely to be realized when we are connected together with Jesus as our unifying head.
- A few further thoughts for our consideration:
- Ephesians 4:3 “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” He sees us as already united and needing to work on keeping us together.
- “Perhaps the greatest obstacle to being God’s friends is His other friends.” As different as an eye and a foot are, the body is best with both of them functioning in harmony.
- No of us can really be a hand, foot, eye, nose, or mouth in His body at the same time.
- The apostle Paul was a great advocate of working with others for God’s glory.
- Will any reason we have for not working together make sense on judgment day? I doubt it!
Let’s take a new step toward each other, and let Him be glorified in and through this expression of the Body of Christ! (Col 3:12-14; Jn 13:34-35)