Jesus People are People People
Americans tend to be protective when it comes to our privacy, independence, and peace and quiet. We highly value our space and most need alone time in order to recharge.
The American Church tends to produce American Christians: Christians that enjoy going to a weekly worship gathering, slipping out shortly after the service in order to practice their Christianity privately, independently, and with peace and quiet. Hopefully you see a problem with this. Simply put, Biblical Christianity is relational. You were made in the image of our triune God, and just as He exists in intimate relationship, so were you created to. The “Call to Community” in Scripture is undeniable. Jesus said that the second greatest commandment is “to love your neighbor as yourself,” Mark 12:31. He is not talking about being generally nice to all people or of having a general feeling of goodwill towards everyone; rather, Jesus is speaking of an active and involved love that often requires getting “up close and personal” with others. The same is true in regards to the love Jesus is speaking about when He said “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35
We may have all sorts of understandable reasons for not wanting to know and be known by others, but at the end of the day, we are not off the hook. Jesus people are people people. There’s just no way around it. Any Christianity that is not relational is no Christianity at all. It’s religion.
You may be busy, tired, or hurt, but don’t let that keep you from the blessing of loving and being loved by others, especially your church family. It saddens me to think about how many Christians are missing out on the type of fellowship and brotherly love that exists only in authentic Christian relationship.
So, please brothers and sisters, decide today to either start investing or keep investing into friendships that celebrate Christ. And if you need some help finding those relationships, that’s why we have Life Groups. There is a list on our website where you can find one that will be a good fit for you. Our leaders would love to welcome you in!
Pastor Matt Daniells
Categories: Evergreen Connection