There should be no “Lone Ranger” Christians

Good morning, everyone,

Our theme for this month: “You are not alone”

Our Bible verse for today: “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “There should be no “Lone Ranger” Christians”

In Psalm 133 King David was writing about what a beautiful thing it is when God’s people dwell together in unity. He even ends verse one with an exclamation point! He was being emphatic about the sweet sense of comradery and fellowship that is present when God’s people are together and unified.

In the editorial notes included in “The Upside-Down Kingdom study Bible”, the editors give us an important insight into the significance and deep meaning of the Hebrew words that David used to express this truth. Their explanation is very good, so I’m going to quote it in its entirety:

“When the people of God are unified with one another, King David writes, their unity is “good and pleasant.” The same Hebrew word for “good” (tov) first appears in Genesis 1 as God repeatedly declares his creation “good” and “very good”. To be “tov” is, in the truest sense, to live in the way we have been designed to live from the very beginning. We are designed to experience togetherness with one another. As for “pleasant” (naim in Hebrew), this word signifies sensory pleasures like visual beauty and sweetness of sound and taste. The unity of God’s people is not just theologically good in an abstract sense; it is also meant to be lovely in ways we can see and hear and taste.”

The editors go on: “This call to unity among believers applies no less today than it did in King David’s time. Pursuing friendship and togetherness with one another can be challenging, especially as our world becomes increasingly siloed and polarized by differences in theology, politics, and experience. But the pursuit of unity – the choice to enter into relationship and to love one another – is not optional for followers of Christ. As we commit ourselves to this vocation of unity, despite its hardships, we display the beauty and sweetness of God by living in the goodness for which we were created.”

We were created to be in fellowship with other believers. It is not God’s intent for any of us to be loners. In God’s family there are to be no “Lone Ranger Christians”. That’s why it’s so important to be part of a good church family. God manifests His presence among us through the love and attention we receive from brothers and sisters in Christ. Unity serves to enhance our awareness of the presence of God. That’s true because God designed us for relationship with Him and with others.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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