The Christian walk has been described by many as a “hard lonely walk”. We often believe that once we have faithfully believed in the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ and stepped into his love and salvation that we now must trudge along with very few people by our side, often wondering if God is still with us in the quiet moments. But what if I told you, that was never the intended plan of God? God’s plan was for us to develop something much deeper than surface level friendships. What God wants for his Church is Community.

Acts 2:44-47 Tell us how the early church was all together, had all things in common, served one another, continued daily in one accord with one another, praising God. The book of Acts tells us a wonderful story of how God used the Church to bless the people by providing for them, feeding them the word of God, relying upon one another, and having a bond with one another so deeply rooted in God that they were united in one spirit, the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 4:3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.

Community, it’s a familiar word. We use it often to describe the area we live, the group of people in a certain city or town. But what is community in a biblical sense. Community is when we find ourselves so deeply rooted in God, so full of the Holy Spirit that we are in fact connected to one another in following God’s will.
1Corinthians 1:10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement.
This doesn’t mean that people follow what one person wants or decrees or what a group of people who have placed themselves above others want or believe. It is a unity where each person has emptied themselves and allowed the Holy Spirit to fill them that they are all in unison with the same mind, same spirit and same wants…the will of the Father!

A place where we would put ourselves aside, bear one another’s burdens, spend time in prayer and allow God to move so fully in our lives that the world could not deny His glory much less His existence.
Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.
Galatians 5:13 For your brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

A community in Christ is something so foreign in today’s time. We live in a time where everyone must be independent and strong. We cannot show weakness, be vulnerable, lean on one another. It is unacceptable by societal norms. Yet these thoughts, these attitudes drive wedges between us and those around us. They keep us isolated from each other and from God. We were not made to withstand anything without God. We are weak, vulnerable and must lean, for these are the positions we find ourselves realizing the need for God and one another. When I can’t pray, who prays for me? When I fall into my old self and ways, who is dragging me back out and reminding me of who I am? When my knees buckle and falter, who collapses at the alter with me, whole heartedly praying God’s will and protection over my life and your life?

Community in Christ is so very important! It’s where we learn, where we grow spiritually and find support. It’s a place where we can share our lives, come together as one in Christ and lift one another up. It’s where we find a sense of belonging and where we can see the reflection of God’s love and nurturing in one another. There is nothing better than to love, support and encourage our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Together, in Christ, we are stronger than we could ever be alone. Together, with Christ shepherding us, we are provided for and protected. Alone, we are in danger, and that is why Jesus will leave the 99 for the one.

Let us learn to be one in mind, in body, in spirit with Christ so that we can also be one with one another as we serve God and each other. Let us learn to build a community so deeply rooted in God, nothing can move us. We were built for companionship, for community. God’s plan was for us to fellowship with Him and His people. Don’t let Satan isolate you from God’s love, God’s support, God’s people. We are all flawed, we are all hurt, and walking with God as best as we can but together in the name of our Father, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, we can live a life intertwined with one another in great unity as we work together as the Body of Christ. Each person with their own function, purpose, and gift.

I pray each of you learn to trust God so deeply that you are able to find the community He intended for you. That you learn to rely on Him so fully that the Holy Spirit fills you and overflows into those around you. That you too will find yourself desiring the community found in Acts. I pray each person reading this finds healing and feels the love of God submerge them so fully they can do nothing but serve Him. May each of you learn to eat, worship, fellowship, pray, and bear one another’s burdens. I give praise to a wonderful God who brings us such a beautiful thing as community in Christ. With love always.
Philippians 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others.