COMMUNITY--A Good, Strong Rope

ECCLESIASTES 4 
⁹Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.¹⁰For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! ¹¹Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? ¹²And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
(ESV)




In today's Christian world, "doing life together" and "becoming a community" are some popular catch phrases.  They most certainly have the full backing of Scripture.  Think of the first century church and their life together as Jesus followers (Acts 1, 4).  Paul's letters are filled with the phrase "one another" and how believers are to lovingly relate.  Consider these few examples:


Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.  Romans 12:10


Live in harmony with one another.  Romans 12:16


Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.  Romans 14:13


So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another—  
1 Corinthians 11:33


Greet one another with a holy kiss.
2 Corinthians 13:12


For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  
Galatians 5:13


Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2


Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.  Ephesians 4:32


Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices...  Colossians 3:9


Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.  1 Thessalonians 5:11


See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.  1 Thessalonians 5:15


But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.  Hebrews 3:13


In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon is taking a good, hard look at life.  One of his wise discernments is that it is good for people to "do life together."  In 4:9-12, he speaks of the many practical benefits in being surrounded with others to lend you a hand.


I must admit, my observation of many churches and believers has been that this is not a natural default for people--even believers that have spent many years as members of congregations.  Most Christians tend to live and believe in very individualistic terms.  They tend to struggle all alone.


For that matter, this individual focus is perpetuated in much of the Christian literature of the day.  The individual is the trump of all things.


Several years ago, I heard Mark Dever, Pastor of Capital Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. say, "Christianity is personal but not private."  He went on to explain that each individual must respond personally, in faith, to the Gospel call.  However, following Christ is not something we do alone.


When a person says that they do not need to go to church to worship God--and by that they mean a life where church involvement is optional--they have seriously underestimated God's teaching.  All of the "one another" commands and exhortations in the Bible assume groups of believers that are in community with one another.  Much of the Bible has for its' focus, the audience of many, not one!  It is a very different understanding a person reaches when one says, "The Bible was written to US" rather than "ME"!


I have the distinct pleasure of pastoring a local congregation.  I believe we are learning, more and more, how to be a true community of believers loving and supporting one another.  We have room for growth.


I also benefit from gathering with a group of pastors for conversation, Bible reading prayer and the eating of Mexican food.  It is good for my soul to have a group of men who are "in the trenches" with me.  It is good to personal walk with God to communally have opportunity to confess my sin and have men speak into my life--especially to help me with my blind spots.


Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 is a great model for us "doing life together."  We do well when we know and live them.  Let us pray them for our churches  and for our gatherings with other believers...

"Lord, let there be a good return of Gospel and church work as we work together.  Help us recognize it is better to work together rather than alone.  Father, help us be a church that lifts one another up.  Never let us see our brothers and sisters floundering physically or spiritually and be passive.  Strengthen us to take the risk to get involved!  Help us give comfort and the warmth of relationship to each other.  Father, help us battle together.  Let it never be said of our family of Jesus-followers that we ever leave one open to attack!  Help us, Father, to keep encouraging one another, so much, that we will be constantly strengthened to keep pressing on in faith.  The we are given courage to take risks for the sake of the Gospel.  I ask that as we love one another, that those who are not in relationship with you see our love and are drawn to your good gospel through our spirit empowered life together.  All for your glory Father!  Amen!"


Rodney Bradford, Arabi Baptist Church