We Need Community
Being a Bible believer and follower of Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. It means living a life of faith, trust, and obedience to God's word, and committing oneself to follow the example of Jesus Christ. As a follower of Yeshua we believe the Bible lays out a strong case for the need of community. This is more than just regular attendance at a local church, this is walking intentionally with God on a personal level and on a corporate level within a local church. Through this balance, you help create a healthy relationship with God and others, which should lead to bearing fruit in our daily walk.
To be a follower of Christ means placing one's faith in the Bible as the inspired and authoritative Word of God. It is the belief that the Bible is the true and complete revelation of God's will and that it contains everything necessary for salvation and living a life that pleases God. It involves reading and studying the Bible regularly to gain a deeper understanding of God's will and to grow in spiritual maturity.
The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." This verse emphasizes the importance of the Bible as the primary source of guidance and instruction for believers.
Following Christ involves taking on his teachings and example as a guide for living a life of love, compassion, and service to others. It is the belief that Yeshua is the Son of God, who came to earth to save humanity from sin and restore a broken relationship with God. Following Christ means seeking to imitate his character and conduct, serving others, sharing the good news of salvation, and living a life that glorifies God daily.
The Apostle Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:21-22: "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." This verse emphasizes the call to follow Christ's example in our lives, recognizing that he lived a sinless life and left us a model to follow.
As a follower of Christ it means actively participating in the life of the church. This includes attending regular worship services, participating in Bible studies and small groups, serving in ministries, and supporting the church financially. It also involves contributing to the spiritual growth and well-being of other members of the church through prayer, encouragement, and support.
The writer of Hebrews exhorts us in Hebrews 10:24-25: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." This verse emphasizes the importance of gathering together regularly as believers, encouraging one another, and spurring one another on toward love and good deeds.
As a follower of Christ it means being part of a community of believers who are committed to growing in faith and building meaningful relationships with one another. It means participating in the life of the church, being accountable to one another, and supporting one another in times of need. This kind of community is vital for spiritual growth and helps to build a strong foundation for the Christian life. It ties the establishment of a Nation at Sinai to the establishment of Messianic Christians in local assemblies in the book of Acts.
The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 12:4-5: "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." This verse emphasizes the unity of believers as members of one body in Christ, each with a unique role to play and a responsibility to support and care for one another. This is normally where things can get messy. As believers, we are all on a spiritual journey to grow closer to God. At the same time, we are attempting to find our calling and walk in it. This is why God calls us to walk in grace and humility in a church. No one has everything figured out, we need each other to help grow and stabilize at various parts of the journey.
Today it isn’t popular to attend church. In fact, most of the negativity surrounding why one would not plug into a church has real merit. Too many churches have gone too far into becoming corporations. Where the processes of the church become first and the persons who are the church become second. This is a fine line to walk. Being a part of a church is a crucial part of maintaining your walk. It will force one to place their faith in the Bible as the authoritative word of God and walk together to become the image of Jesus on this earth. It isn’t easy, but building a meaningful relationship with other believers, and contributing to the spiritual growth of the community is how the disciples revolutionized the world. As one who has attempted to do those things by myself, I can tell you it doesn’t work. God designed us to need others.
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