Thoughts From One Never Alone

Our corporate experience motivates, informs, and holds accountable our . . .

• Shared identity. We are not saved as individuals to then be left as individuals walking with Jesus one on one. Therefore, we are not free to think of our faith as only a personal or private matter (we are a: flock – Jn. 10:16; temple – Eph. 2:21, 22; household – Eph. 2:19; body – Eph. 1:22-23; church – Matt. 16:18, 1 Tim. 3:15; bride – Rev. 19:7, 21:9; new humanity – Eph. 4:22-24; holy nation – 1 Pet. 2:9; royal priesthood – 1 Pet. 2:9; a chosen people – 1 Pet. 2:9; possession of God – 1 Pet. 2:9).

• Congregational gatherings. In light of what we share and need, we are to gather regularly to stimulate one another to good works to the glory of God (Heb. 10:19-25).

• Evangelistic efforts. Our unity demonstrates that God sent Jesus to secure forgiveness of sins; it makes the work of evangelism possible (God’s chosen method of support normally); it communicates powerfully the excellencies of Christ (Jn. 17:21; Phil. 1:3-5, 7, 27-30; 1 Pt. 2:9-10).

• Worship of Christ Jesus. Division not only harms the body, it muffles our worship (Matt. 5:23-24; Rom. 15:5-6; 1 Pt. 2:9-10).

• Appreciation of the roles we all play in God’s work. We do not pit one role against another. We work together respecting God’s wisdom in delegating to each one various roles and responsibilities (1 Cor. 3:6-8; 12:1-31).

• Approach sin. Sin may be committed by individuals but it affects the group and in many ways even involves the group (1 Cor. 3:16; 5:6-8; 6:12-20; 2 Cor. 6:16).

• Understanding of liberty. Differing practices that grow out of background, experience, and understanding require patience, humility, and a respect for Christian liberty (Rom. 14:1-15:2; 1 Cor. 8:1-13; Gal. 2:11-21; Col. 2:16-23).

• Efforts of reconciliation within the church. Along with our desire to obey Christ and honor Him, we reconcile with fellow believers because of our involvement in and affect upon the church. We must appreciate the broader context of our broken relationships (Philemon 1-25).

• Sacrificial, benevolent giving. As members of the body of Christ, we recognize God’s gracious provision as well as the purpose of that provision beyond the immediate needs of our personal lives (2Cor. 8:13-15; 9:12).

• Purpose in ministry. Christ has provided those within the body with particular gifts for the building up of the body. Those gifted in such ways must always recognize Christ’s purpose in gifting and calling them (Eph. 4:7-16).

• Mutual service. God has sovereignly gifted the individual members of the body for the good of the body (Rom. 12:1-21; 1 Cor. 12:1-31; 14:26).

• Humble reception of one another. We welcome one another in worship and service in spite of differences in gifting, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic standing, etc. In our diversity, God is glorified by His work of bringing us together in unity through Christ Jesus (Rom. 1:14-17, 2:9-11, 12:1-5; 1 Cor. 12:1-31; Eph. 2:13-22, 4:1-6; Gal. 3:26-29).

• Zealous efforts of protecting the unity of the body. Since we are being built up into a temple of God which brings praise to the glory of God, then we must protect the unity of God’s work so as to not take away from that praise (Eph. 4:1-6).

• Work in spiritual warfare. If we wish to stand against the efforts of Satan, then we must stand together as one man having been fitted with the spiritual armor God has provided. This text speaks of one set of armor for the one body of Christ (Eph. 6:10-18).

• Marital relations. We are free to marry fellow worshippers of God in Christ and must interact with them as fellow-heirs of grace. Our marriage relationships exist in the greater context of the family of God (2 Cor. 6:14-16; Eph. 5:22-33; 1 Pt. 3:7).