This is Day 14 of 31 Days of Community. Thanks for reading along!
I once heard a pastor say that we often struggle in community because we think so highly of ourselves. And isn't that the truth? It takes intention to put others above ourselves, to metaphorically wash their feet with a heart of service and love.
We read in John 13 about Jesus' call to love each other within the body of Christ.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
And in Galatians we read that we are called to "be good to everyone, but especially to those who are of the household of the faith." It starts here, in the church, and then we are to engage the world as well.
If this passion for community is being stirred up in our hearts, how can we encourage others to follow this call as well, to love the body of Christ in community? Let's encourage those around us to also:
- get deeply connected to the body of Christ
- speak the truth in love to one another
- find common interests
- use our gifts to bless others
- pray for these things
We might not land on the same side of the fence theologically with every believer we run into, but we can overlook minor differences and through the power of the gospel (we are all redeemed through the cross) we can love them right where they are.
How have you seen brotherly love displayed within the body of Christ?