Thabiti on community

Thabiti Anyabwile, from his post, The Redundancy of “Radical Discipleship”:


I think my walk with Christ took a step in a more radical direction when I began to live actively in a church community. When the local church really became a family I was committed to, nominalism simply ceased to be a viable option. You can’t walk together with other saints, commit yourself to the cross-carrying “one anothers” of Scripture, and remain a lukewarm disciple.
(HT: Doug Wolter)

My Brother's Keeper- Mike T.

A few days back I was feeling the way we all do from time to time when someone we care about lets us down. Sometimes it's easy to idolize or put upon a pedestal those we admire and look up to. When we do we will eventually come to the realization that they are simply human and sinners, no different than our selves. In this case the disappointment led to discouragement and doubt and mistrust and feelings of animosity. As I drove to work I put on a CD and tried to return to the sure source of strength and hope and security, Jesus Christ. The songs played and slowly my spirit began to warm. Then a song called "My Brother's Keeper" started. I had heard these words a hundred times before, but this time the words struck me somehow in a fresh way. Friendships are yet another means by which God helps to stir us to Love and Glorify Him. Frail people with faults, sins, hang-ups, weaknesses, selfish motives, hypocritical actions and all the crazy things that make up each one of us are joined together as a family under Christ.

"Now the plumber's got a drip in his spigot
The mechanic's got a clank in his car
And the preacher's thinking thoughts of the wicked
And the lover's got a lonely heart
My friends ain't the way I wish they were
They are just the way they are

And I will be my brother's keeper
Not the one who judges him
I won't despise him for his weakness
I won't regard him for his strength
I won't take away his freedom
I will help him learn to stand
And I will ~ I will be my brother's keeper

Now this roof has got a few missing shingles
But at least we got ourselves a roof
And they say that she's a fallen angel
I wonder if she recalls when she last flew
There's no point in pointing fingers
Unless you're pointing to the truth

And I will be my brother's keeper
Not the one who judges him
I won't despise him for his weakness
I won't regard him for his strength
I won't take away his freedom
I will help him learn to stand
And I will ~ I will be my brother's keeper

I will be my brother's keeper
Not the one who judges him
I won't despise him for his weakness
I won't regard him for his strength
I won't take away his freedom
I will help him learn to stand
And I will ~ I will be my brother's keeper"

Written by: A Beaker; Richard Mullins

The Bible reminds us of the unique bond that all who are part of the church experience. One of my favorite passages is found in Colossians. There Paul outlines the key tools for the members of Christ's body to hold to. It is important to notice that he starts by reminding us that we have been created in a new image and we should aspire to look like our Father and no longer behave in the way we used to. It begins by learning who we are (being renewed in knowledge) so that we know the attributes and characteristics of Christ. To know them we have to be familiar with Christ and with His Word. As we learn about Him we will recognize those things that His children should grow in. Summed up God's children recognize that they are part of the same family and all share the common experience of being called, chosen and reborn by God who made them holy and part of His beloved family. There is no need to dwell on ethnic backgrounds, skin color, social status, heritage and circumstances for all come into God's family by the calling of God who creates this new life in them. This should lead our hearts to be filled with compassion, kindness, humility, patience and forgiveness. Thanksgiving and a desire to share Christ with one another and worship Him are the natural effect on the members of His family. Teaching and admonishing one another in wisdom learning more about Him and growing in maturity and reflecting Him.

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3:9-18 ESV)


It all comes down to recognizing that you and I, each member of the church are indeed brothers and sisters adopted and called into a family, reborn to a new life. It is this calling and this faith that we share in Christ that uniquely defines who we are. In this capacity we lock arms to serve, worship and reflect Christ for God's glory. This life is a battle full of snares, trials, tribulations and a thousand things that divert us from the goal. I can do nothing more important than help my friends to stand up, press on and serve the Master. When I get diverted to pointing my finger at them when they are down or help to knock them down I contribute to the enemies cause. When my friend falls, I must pick him up and even carry him on in the battle. He will do the same for me. God desires that and gave us one another to carry the load for His glory and praise. AMEN!

Christians are like several flowers ... Bunyan

Christians are like the several flowers in a garden that have each of them the dew of heaven, which, being shaken with the wind, they let fall at each other's roots, whereby they are jointly nourished, and become nourishers of each other.

John Bunyan
Online Library

As Iron Sharpens Iron- By Mike T.

I am definitely experiencing the depths of despair. A long 11 hour work day and a dreary cold wintery day have worked their affects upon my soul. I know that the place to turn is to the arms of my Father, but sometimes it's hard to even go where there can be comfort and a balm for the weary spirit. The heart can ache without one even knowing why. It can be difficult to even open up to prayer. I know that Christ is there when I feel alone. That is the most important relationship that I know of. I can fully say that I know that experience of intimacy with Christ. At times though what I miss is the care of brothers and sisters. I know I am part of a family in Christ but this is where my faith is least able to find confirmation. I feel neither needed nor able to find experience the fellowship that the Bible speaks of.

The Psalms speak of the effect that one friend can have upon another. Neither is sharpened without contact and with contact both become sharper. That is the plan that God has for his children, that we would mutually sharpen and encourage each other in growth and maturity.

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
(Pro 27:17 ESV)


"As to the importance of the children of God opening their hearts to each other, especially when they are getting in a cold state, or are under the power of a certain sin, or are in especial difficulty; I know from my own experience how often the snare of the devil has been broken when under the power of sin; how often the heart has been comforted when nigh to be overwhelmed; how often advice, and great perplexity, has been obtained, - by opening my heart to a brother in whom I had confidence. We are children of the same family, and ought therefore to be helpers one of another."

George Muller
George Muller Foundation

And Colossians describes how those in God's family should behave. The Word of Christ should find a home among God's people and they should find a common bond there that drives them to teach, admonish, grow in wisdom, sing and rejoice and experience thankfulness of heart. This helps us reflect the image of God which glorifies Him.

"Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
(Col 3:11-17 ESV)

Aloneness can lead to loneliness. God's preventative for loneliness is intimacy - meaningful, open, sharing relationships with one another. In Christ we have the capacity for the fulfiling sense of belonging which comes from intimate fellowship with God and with other believers.

Neil T. Anderson
Freedom in Christ Ministries

I feel alone because it feels that I have no family in the spiritual sense. My brothers and sisters seem far off and I feel to be an outcast. Oh to know and experience the joy of having and giving as God intended within this family He has bought with His blood. To see the sparks fly and to watch as God hones his people to his image by bringing them together as they share in His Grace.

The Christian Life Is Not A Private Affair - Mike T.

I am a loner by nature. I have always been shy and reserved. Social interaction for me is actually not easy. It is just part of my make up of who I am. As I have been doing this study on the church I have begun to recognize the importance of fellowship within the body of believers, more specifically within a local church. The Bible makes it so clear that we were designed by God to need one another. In the past I have always been content to accept living on the fringes of the church fellowship. My relative shyness makes it hard for me to interact and relate with others. It takes a long time for me to get to know them. As such I developed a theology that allowed me to only get involved where I have been confortable. I grew in Christ through private worship and devotion. Rarely did I want to be involved in Sunday School or other activities if it involved meeting and interacting with others. I am finding this increasing more difficult. I knew the benefits and blessings of the church family and longed for them, but I knew not how to overcome my social anxieties. Now I pray to God that He will enable me to more freely partake of the gracious blessings that exist to those who are adopted into His family. To serve others and help others grow in Christ and to build up and support the Body that proclaims this precious Gospel.

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
(Rom 12:4-17 ESV)

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1Pe 2:9 ESV)


"The Christian life is not just our own private affair. If we have been born again into God's family, not only has he become our Father but every other Christian believer in the world, whatever his nation or denomination, has become our brother or sister in Christ. But it is no good supposing that membership of the universal Church of Christ is enough; we must belong to some local branch of it. Every Christian's place is in a local church, sharing in its worship, its fellowship, and its witness."

John R. W. Stott
John Stott Ministries

Quote of the day

Since God gives grace and strength
through fellowship, without fellowship you will be a spiritual
weakling, fantasizing in private about your spiritual prowess, but
powerless when it really counts.” (Donald Whitney - Spiritual Disciplines Within The Church p. 153).