The Jesus Story ... Continued! -- Community.

As we look into the book of Acts powerful community relationships is one of the aspects that is clearly portrayed. There was a camaraderie and a commitment to one another that is often not seen today in the American church. The Scriptures say that the people were ‘devoted to meeting together.’ Devoted is not necessarily a term that is used today to describe people’s commitment to one another. The reality that people walk out on marriage, walk out on children and walk out on financial commitments might indicate a devotion problem in our culture.

One of the fallouts of people ‘walking out’ is that it causes everyone to be cautious in their relationships. Those that remain tend to pull back. The question is asked: Why should I be ‘devoted’ if others are just going to walk out when they feel like it? People become hesitant to extend themselves to others. People become undecided and don’t try to really get to know each other.

The ‘individuality’ of the American church shouldn’t surprise anyone should it? We are a country that prides itself on individuality. The American motto is not: “All for one and one for all.” We pride ourselves on the ‘self-made man.’ Pity the person who is successful because of someone else’s fortune. “He had it handed to him on a silver platter” is a slam on a person’s character.

The community of faith that Jesus flows through isn’t like that. The book of Psalms says: How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! (Psalms 133:1 NLT)

Commitment, devotion and love is the life that is portrayed in the book of Acts. ‘A life of harmony.’ The Life God desires can’t be lived any other way.

Albert Schweitzer wrote: "In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit." Rekindling the inner spirit is part of life lived together.

Jesus said that the world would know that we are His followers because of our love for one another.

Our daily prayer should be: Jesus, create this kind of faith community in us!