Pastor’s Corner: “Shared Lives”
1 John 1:3-4 (MSG) – 3-4 We saw it, we heard it, and now we’re telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy!
Many years ago, as we wrapped up a small-group Bible study one night, I suddenly realized I had been privileged to see Jesus in the lives and hearts of each person in the room. My faith was soaring and my love for Jesus and these folks was bursting in my heart. I felt closer to Jesus than I ever thought possible! What was going on? While I had received Christ as my Lord and Savior when I was 21 years old, I had never gotten plugged into a church community because of my work. I did not know what I was missing!
We were not super-Christians or especially gifted. Our little group was just beautifully ordinary. We were people from all different walks of life with weaknesses and brokenness. But as we came together and were willing to open our hearts and lives together sharing our faith, Jesus showed up! Really? This is where Jesus lives? I realized that it was in the ordinariness and even the weaknesses of our shared lives that the presence of Jesus shined through the most. Shared Lives…..
Culture today often promotes a me-first mentality, from “do what makes you happy” to the pervasive selfie photo. Many of us rarely interact with our neighbors. We tend to embrace individual freedom and decision-making that reflects our own interests over those of an organized group, church, or government. Yet, Christianity, while valuing the individual, consistently urges us to value God first and others second. Forget “me first,” Jesus taught in the Gospel of Matthew, many of the first will be last and last will be first (19:30) and that the two greatest commandments are, first, to love the Lord with every ounce of our being and, second, to love our neighbor as ourselves (22:37-39).
Christianity isn’t intended to be lived on a self-dependent island. Hebrews 10:24-25 New International Version (NIV) 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 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.
Tied up in all of this is the concept of Koinonia, a Greek word used 21 times in scripture. We do not have one English word that can fully describe it but a combination; fellowship, sharing in common, communion, community, or Shared Lives. We may have difficulty fully defining Koinonia with words but the Bible reveals what it should look like: Scripture commands us to be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10), honor one another (Romans 12:10), live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16; 1 Peter 3:8), accept one another (Romans 15:7), serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13), be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32), admonish one another (Colossians 3:16), encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13), spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24), offer hospitality (1 Peter 4:9), and love one another (1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:11; 3:23; 4:7; 4:11-12). All of this happens in the context of community and never in in isolation.
We were not created to go about this life apart from relationship with fellow children of God. Without our brothers and sisters, we will never experience the fullness of life and intimacy with Jesus that God intends for us. In community, we discover our place in the body of Christ. In community, we learn what it is to serve out of love, honor, and respect. And in community, we receive the healing and love that can only come from those who share in the same Spirit.
In a world where people feel isolated and alone, God created a unique and loving community called the Church. There are many more benefits to being involved in a Christian community, but one of the best is that Jesus is uniquely present when we gather. And wherever Jesus is, is a good place to be!
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton