Our first week on the ministry field has really had me thinking and evaluating what true community looks like – what family means. I have been asking Him and seeking His Word to find His truth on this subject; wanting to know what His vision for us regarding this is and what we can expect from Him once we work toward this real/true community.
Acts 2:44-47 And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. They worshiped together at the temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.
Philippians 2:2-6 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. Your attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God.
1 John 4:16-19 God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect… We love each other as a result of his loving us first.
Galatians 5:5-6, 13-15 But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive everything promised to us who are right with God through faith. … What is important is faith expressing itself in love. For you have been called to live in freedom – … freedom to serve one another in lov e. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
I don’t think I realized just how difficult really dying to self was. I don’t think I realized how selfish and prideful I really am. I don’t think I realized how many rights and expectations I hold on to. When I started trying to live out what community looks like from the Words of the Bible – well, I have quickly learned that I need a lot of grace – from God and my team.
If I can try to walk out everyday putting God first, my team second, and myself third, then perhaps I can get a little closer to leading a life of preference – I life where I would prefer others over myself. If I can start walking everyday preferring others over myself than perhaps I can get a little closer to leading a life of love. I want to love others with Calvary love – sacrificial, compassionate, and true love.
And what will happen if we all started walking out each day in this kind of love…? I think true and complete unity. And what will happen if we go out into the world with this kind of unity…? …and each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved… all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them… to receive everything promised to us who are right with God through faith – faith expressing itself in love… freedom to serve one another… love our neighbor and love our self…
I don’t want to do this community thing family style… I want to do this family thing Jesus style...
