Read: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Acts 2:42-47 & Hebrews 10:24-25
Just as we cannot live the Christian life without the Holy Spirit, we cannot live it outside of the community of believers. When Jesus began His ministry, He started by surrounding Himself with 12 disciples, people who believed and helped to spread His message. These men weren’t believers when Jesus found them, but they became His disciples as they lived in relationship with Him. Jesus’ work of salvation for all believers would have been pointless had He not shared it with those around Him. He commands us to do the same through the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20. We are called to share His message of hope with those around us. This necessitates talking with others, building relationships and living in community.
King Solomon explains the importance of community in Ecclesiastes: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work…if two lie down together, they will keep warm...A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” In Proverbs 27:17, he states it this way, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Living in close relationship with others can be difficult. People have different personalities and opinions and ways of communicating. But the Bible promises that living in community is always better. We’ll become sharper, stronger and more fruitful.
The early church in Acts is a beautiful picture of how a body of believers can thrive. They were devoted to fellowship with one another. They had all things in common. They gave as any had need. What an amazing group to be a part of! Hebrews exhorts us to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together…” None of this selflessness is possible without the power of the Holy Spirit, but look at what God can do with those who are willing to love Him and love one another. Through their faith and devotion, “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Living in a vibrant, faith-filled community is not some unattainable idea that only existed in Bible times. It is available to us today. By God’s grace, we are better together.
