The Value of Community
“Since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near”(Hebrews 10:21-25).
When Jesus left earth, he gave us a few things. Among these are the church, the Holy Spirit, his Word, and a command to spread the Gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). One of the most important is the church. Jesus did not desire for us to walk alone in this world, for he knows the heart of man is easily lead astray by all temptation. The easiest way to fall into sin is by isolating oneself from the church and believing he can make it on his own. Brothers, do not alienate yourself from Godly community! It was placed in your life to keep you from sin and guide you in your sanctification.
C.S. Lewis says it clearly in Mere Christianity: “The church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time.” The church was created for men (and women) to “encourage one another” and “stir one another to love and good works.” The encouragement from fellow believes is crucial to build your faith and become a “little Christ.”
A common mistake men make is when they come to a church and don’t like the teaching or worship, they go and find a new one. It is not a bad thing for one to search out the best community, but if this goes on for months, it draws you away from the faith by not establishing yourself in a Christlike community and building relationships with other believers. If you truly are unsatisfied because of heretical teaching or other unbiblical ideologies being practiced, create your own community. The early church was composed of small groups meeting together in a house. They would engage in the breaking of bread, worshipping Christ, and dwelling on the Scriptures. Similar house churches exist all over the world and are a great source of community.
Once you have Godly community, see how you can join them in the building up of believers. The last thing you should do is just come to the sunday service and sit in the back row, leaving as soon as it is over and not making any meaningful contact with anyone. You are a part of “one body” (1 Corinthians 12:12), therefore you must perform a function and contribute to its overall health. If the heart or lungs decide to not do their designed job properly, the whole body suffers. Likewise, do not neglect to take part in the church by serving or teaching according to your gifts so that you may become more like Christ and encourage others to join you in the same pursuit.
Finally, I encourage you to do as Paul says in the twelfth chapter of Hebrews: “Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”
