“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” (Romans 12:10-16 NIV)
When I think of community, I think of a group of people who want to know me as well as I know myself -- people who challenge my thinking, help me grow, and love me unconditionally. Community like that is incredibly freeing.
When Jesus encountered the woman at the well in John 4, He told her all about herself. At first, she was caught off guard and uneasy. But she soon went back to her town and told everyone to come and meet the man who knew all about her.
As believers, we have a great opportunity to use community to reach others with the gospel. As we participate in community, people on the outside see that and want to be part of it. I encourage you to find community and to share that community with others.
-- Toben and Joanne Heim in “Great Expectations”
#5615
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for sharing your comments about a quote or about this ministry. Please include your name and what state or country you live in. If you do not have a registered profile, you can login using the "Anonymous" tag in the "Comment as:" box below.
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.