Christ's community

God created us for community. It is only in community that the Gospel can be most fully realized in our lives. Consider what Paul wrote to the church in Philippi near the beginning of his letter to them…

 I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:3-11)

Paul was reminding them of the importance of community to the Christian faith. It is in community that God continues to help us serve and grow. When we are with others we can gain knowledge of depth and insight. Love grows most effectively when we are with others.

It is when we find ourselves sharing life with others that God will carry on the work he is doing in our lives.

But it’s about more than just community. It’s about what – or most accurately, who – is in the center of that community. For a group of people to truly embrace the Gospel and bear the fruit of righteousness, Jesus Christ must be at the center of the community. I don’t believe it’s a mistake or chance that in each of the three paragraphs above, Jesus Christ is present. It is through Christ, and a community of people following him, that the world will discover and encounter the grace and love of God.

 

shine!
Jason