Life Together
One of the things I truly enjoy is “doing life with others.” In the years I’ve grown up in the church, I have learned the value of community. Like all parts of life, it’s not always easy and there are unexpected challenges. But the reward of being part of a community in Christ far outweighs the reasons one might shy away from it. So, what can we expect by “doing life together?”
Expect to NEED OTHERS
The creation story in Genesis 1-2 sets the stage for the “why” of our need for doing life together. In order for Adam to be a perfect reflection of God, he needed a partner, someone likehim. Until that moment, Adam’s singleness was “not good.” God saw in Himself a fellowship that He wanted us to experience, a completeness that comes from being with others who are alike. By creating male and female God’s creation of mankind was “good” because it was a truer reflection of His three persons. Our expectation should include a need for others, because our original design was made perfect in community.Without the gift of others, we miss out on the encouragement, companionship, and even sharpening that community provides. Without community we cannot be a true reflection of God.
Expect to HURT AND BE HURT
During Jesus’ earthly life he chose the disciples to be his circle of friends. In this group were tax collectors and persecutors, imperfect people with questionable pasts, not unlike you and me. During the course of his life on earth Jesus poured His wisdom and teaching into them, knowing that within this group were those who would deny him, question him, and even betray him. Jesus knew the men with whom he chose to commune – knew their flaws and the ways they would let him and each other down. They did let him down, and we can assume that in their humanity they let each other down, as well. It’s our nature. In close-knit communities we should expect that at some point we will hurt others, and sometimes we will be hurt. But because our bond is in Jesus, our eternal hope, we are better equipped to be gracious to one another. Being part of a church “family”community allows us to give and receive grace the way Christ lavishes it on us.
Expect JESUS TO SHOW UP
One of the most amazing gifts of doing life together as believers is that it’s not only a “horizontal” community in which we engage with each other, but when we are together it is a “vertical” and holy communion. God is present in our midst. Jesus spent some of his last earthly moments in prayer – for Himself, for his disciples, and for all believers (John 17). His prayer for us was that believers “may be one as we {Father, Son, Holy Spirit} are one,” (v22). This implies that as we gather we can do the “good” stuff together and enjoy each other, and challenges us to dive into the hard stuff with each other as well. The beauty of doing life together as believers is that Jesus is present, dwelling among us and indwelling our hearts. His prayer for our unity implies an expectation of His presence. We cannot be one in spirit if He does not dwell here. Expect Jesus to show up, even in the most unexpected ways.
Expect TO GROW IN NUMBER and ENJOY LASTING FELLOWSHIP
One of the most beautiful examples of “doing life together” is from the early church in Acts 2. The latter part of the chapter describes one of my favorite images- “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, the breaking of bread and to prayer… All the believers were together and had everything in common… 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. And the LORD added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:42,44,46-47) In these verses we see the beauty and simplicity of our unity in Christ: sharing meals, studying and praying together, growing in number, and finding community that lasts for eternity. Coming together in the Spirit enables us to become disciples who “disciple” others. We should experience growth, both individually and in receiving new friends and followers in our group. And the fellowship we enjoy together has lasting, eternal implications. What we gain temporally by doing lifetogether on earth we will share perfectly and eternally in our home in heaven.