Maybe you could tell that Family Radio has been exploring the topic of “new life” recently. Well, I googled those two words just to see what came up, and it listed church after church after church. Maybe my browser “knows” I’m a Christian because of the types of websites I visit so it put what it thought I wanted to see first, but either way, I think the search results illustrate a fantastic point about our new life in Christ: it is intended to be lived in community.
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25
Living in community provides opportunities to support each other, encourage one another to turn our faith into action, hold each other accountable, worship together, learn together, and so much more. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” We need each other!
And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:44-47
Acts 2, which tells us about the very beginnings of the Church, strikes me as both beautiful and radical. When I was in college, my friends and I kinda had all things in common, but as poor starving college students, we could still be testy about things we spent our money on. But I mean, when was the last time you heard about someone selling something of value so they could give (not loan) the proceeds to a friend in need? And we’re so busy with all our programs and commitments that having people over for dinner is more of special treat than a regular occurrence. But then, we miss out on the intimacy that comes from eating meals together and being involved in others’ lives.
What would it look like to live life like in Acts 2? Would we have gladness and singleness of heart with other believers? Do we truly love our brothers and sisters in Christ how God calls us to?
Jessie Chamberlain
Family Radio Staff