Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 16: Biblical Community”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Life is meant to be done in community…especially the Christian life.
Over the years I have heard people say, “I worship God on my own.” Or, “I don’t have to go to church to be a Christian.”
On the one hand, we could agree, but to be honest, I always think (and perhaps have said), “That’s weird.” God didn’t intend his followers to be isolated.
However, I think a better answer is, “You’re missing out.”
Without a community around us we miss out on the blessings others bring to us and the opportunity to be a blessing to others.
Yesterday was Valentine’s Day. The community of faith is to be one where love is received and love is expressed. Here’s a few examples:
- John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
- Romans 13:8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
- Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
- Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
- 1 John 3:11 This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
- 1 John 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
- 1 John 4: 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
Love is the reflection of God’s love for us. Let that be at the center of our hearts, the center of our church and the center of every relationships.
Apply: Which of these passages speaks most to you. Spend a few minutes to memorize it!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for loving us first. Help us to always love others.