Prepositional Spirituality #5 – Christ among You
Simon & Garfunkel sang their ballad:
I’ve built walls,
a fortress deep and mighty,
that none may penetrate.
I have no need of friendship. Friendship causes pains.
It’s laughter and it’s loving I disdain.
I am a rock. I am an island.
Truth be told: That is a despairing song. No one is a rock or an island. And neither is any Christ follower.
We are together with Christ among us. “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household” (Ephesians 2:19).
Life together in community with God’s people can cause us hurt and pain. But we really do need each other.
We are caught up in fellowship with God and wrapped up in the community of God’s people. Large group, fellowship group, small group, one-on-one discipleship – all dimensions have their place.
Jesus himself said, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20). Christ is indeed among us.
In spite of all its flaws and weaknesses, its stains and wrinkles, being together as the family of God in worship, teaching, fellowship, and service is essential for our own spiritual development and for kingdom advance (Ephesians 5:27).
Together in worship, we experience the kingdom of heaven on earth. Together in teaching, we establish the kingdom of God in our hearts and minds. Together in fellowship and service, we demonstrate the kingdom through love and good works. We are the family of the King.
Responding to the challenge of not gathering physically because of Covid, Collin Hansen & Jonathan Leeman write:
“Praise God that we can ‘download’ biblical truths virtually. But let’s praise God that the Christian life is more than just an information transfer. When church is only online, we can’t feel, experience, or witness those truths becoming enfleshed in the family of God, which both fortifies our faith and creates cords of love between brothers and sisters. Virtual church is an oxymoron.”
They continue: “God made us physical and relational creatures. The Christian life and the church life cannot finally be downloaded. It must be watched, heard, stepped into, and followed.” (Rediscover Church, 51-52.)
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10). Christ is, after all, among us.
~ Pastor Dave
