Each Other

Recently we have been studying spiritual gifts at our church. This one topic has been polarized too much. Without getting into the details, differing theology on the subject of what constitutes a ‘church’ has played havoc on simple scriptures. Tucked within these passages are goldmines of information that not only pleases God, but also gives the natural response to pleasing God: the fruits of joy, faith, peace, etc. 

These blessings are all attached at the hip and the heart with… others. Yes, Jesus still expects us to focus on relationships, just as He did. He loves people, and so should we. He loved being with people, and so should we. He saw them not just as a mission, but as family, and so should we. One thing haunts us though, we aren’t Jesus! People are nuts, I mean really crazy. Every day you look at the news and see just how crazy-town people can be. 

Maybe it’s smart then for us to hang with our safe-zone people. How must ask a question: Did Jesus hang with just the safe-zone people? He had a man in his group who was a train assassin (Simon Zelotes). He had a woman that was demon possessed (Mary Madelene). He hung out with people that were traitors to his own people (Matthew, Zaccheus). He even took offerings from a woman who’s husband was part of the plot to kill his own cousin John (Joanna). These people are not fiction, they are real people who really need Jesus. They were all previously in these situations. Now they have been changed, to walk with Jesus. 

But that’s not all. They also have been changed to walk with each other. Can you imagine Matthew the tax collector, with Simon the zealot?! They were previously those things. I could imagine the human need to bring up someone’s past. But you rarely recall that within the Gospels. The further you go to the New Testament the more you see the teaching of togetherness among these people. Once the Spirit came, the changes were sealed. It’s carnality that wants to remind someone of their past. It’s Satan who wants to remind you of your’s. In either case, it’s wrong. Has Jesus not saved us and them to the uttermost? (Hebrews 7.25). Of course He has. Then why do we remind ourselves of it? Jesus took a motley crew of misfits and fashioned a church that turned the world upside down. (Acts 17.6). Aren’t you glad He did?

They needed Jesus alright, and each other. 

1 Corinthians 12.12-13— “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”

Believers have two responsibilities: The first is to Love God; and The second is to Love Others. We gauge our love in action. The word ‘agape’ is action. Jesus Himself said in John 14: “If ye love me, keep my commandments. (15); “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” (21); “…If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (23); “He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings…” (24). We love by obeying Him. We love by serving Him. We love by serving each other.  

Where and how we serve is based upon our unique talents, skills, and calling. Each of those are given to us by God. But the one place where we are all expected to give of ourselves, is the local church. This is the place I have covenanted with. This is the relationship that lasts for eternity. I won’t be married in heaven. Those won’t be my children in heaven. That isn’t my job in heaven. Those items won’t make it to heaven. But, this is my Abba Father and these are my brothers and sisters… forever! 

When you were saved, Jesus baptized you with the Holy Spirit. You entered a new life and a new family. You then, at least I pray you did or do, entered into a relationship with a particular church. When you were baptized into that church family, you became just that… a family. You left off your old life and gained a new one. (Romans 6.4; Colossians 2.12). This is according to the will of God. This is His will for you. This is where you serve and give of yourself to each other as you all follow God collectively and individually. He wants you to become a part of a local, autonomous group of believers. He placed you there because He has made you needed (1 Corinthians 12.18). Yes, He has made us fit perfectly together on purpose (Ephesians 2.21). You are significant to the rest of your church family.

The church is more than a community. It is more than a message. It is more than a place. It is more than a service time. It is an interdependent body with individual members who were created by God to function in communion with one another. We at Highland, are a diverse group, and that means we often have to strive hard for unity (Ephesians 4.3). But our differences are actually something to be celebrated, because each person uniquely contributes to God’s purpose. A church that is lovingly obeying God and reflecting that for their love and obedience with each other, is unearthly. Only God could pull that off. With all the varied gifts, talents, personalities, baggages, and pasts— it’s only God who could do it. It is an amazing thing to see that motley crew design work with effectiveness to the Kingdom of His own glory.

The body of Christ functions best and most beautifully when all members resolve to serve God and each other to the best of their ability (1 Corinthians 12.25). Find out why God put you in your church. And then serve him with all your might.

A question to be asked: Do we really need each other? The answer: yes! Much more than you can realize.