Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another. (Hebrews 10:25)
Once we understand that we have been saved to be part of a family of faith, we must answer the question, “How do we cultivate community?” The answer is, “Frequency!” In order to grow our relationships within our family of faith, we must frequently make meaningful contact in genuine fellowship. Growing any relationship takes time which is why we are encouraged with our verse today to keep coming together.
Here is something we must keep in view if we are serious about building community. It is not built on convenience, but rather, commitment and conviction. We can’t just get together when we feel like it, because truth be told, most often, we simply don’t feel like it. We must be intentional and purposeful in setting aside time out of our busy schedules because we know just how important it is to be growing in community. Solitary saints are the number one target of the evil one. He is always on the prowl looking for those who are living outside of community, seeking to devour them. This, as you know, is much harder for him to do when you are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses.
One of the keys that unlocks the door to building community is forsaking the self and focusing in on our Savior, who died to give us a relationship with Him and with all those who are His. We must be willing to jettison . . .
- Self-absorption
- Self-centeredness
- Self-rule
Remember this, because we are going to be together forever with our family of faith in the new heavens and the new earth, the more time we spend with them here and now, the better we will be prepared for the there and then. The church as a whole is far more important than any individual. As my friend Steve Brown likes to say, “All those who belong to Jesus, belong to all those who belong to Jesus.” Let that truth set us free to cultivate community.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 