Devotional for Friday March 16th

Our theme for this month: “Wisdom”

Our Bible verse for today: “And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 (HCSB)

Our thought for today: “The wise person recognizes the importance of Christian community.”

Why is it important for the people of God to be together as a faith community? For one thing, it’s because that’s the model Scripture gives us. In the Bible the people of God are always together in community. Community is an integral part of living the Christian life. So fundamental is the notion of community – the importance of being together – that even in that perfect environment in the Garden of Eden God deemed “alone” as being “not good” (Genesis 2:18). Human beings are relational by nature. We thrive in community and we wilt in loneliness. That’s why in prison the highest form of punishment is solitary confinement.

In Ecclesiastes 4:9, 12 Solomon wrote, “Two are better than one,” and “A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” What he meant to illustrate in those verses is “The power of together”. There is power in being together. There is support, encouragement, love, guidance, correction, and help. In Luke 5, four men carried their paralyzed friend to Jesus. When they couldn’t get into the room because of the crowds they hoisted him up onto the roof, broke through it, and lowered him by ropes into the presence of the Master. That’s the power of together. We do things for each other that we can’t do for ourselves. In Romans 12 Paul taught that we are all parts of one body, the Body of Christ, and we need each other.

Are you part of a strong and committed community of believers? If not, you’re missing an essential element in the life of a Christian. The Bible gives us no positive examples of Lone Ranger Christians. In every case we’re directed into community. The Christian who is wise in the ways of God recognizes the importance of Christian community.

God Bless,