We talk a lot about love in the Christian church. Only title, for love is at the center of our message, the Gospel (John 3:16), but what does it mean to love other Christians?Can’t we live the Christian life alone?
The Westminster Confession of Faith tells us that we, as believers, must maintain a holy society and communion in the worship of God and in the observance of other spiritual services, which tend to their mutual building, as well as to help each other in their respective needs and means (CFW 26. 2). Regular participation in collective worship is an important part of how we fulfill this duty. We join our brethren and come down to hear the Word, participate in the sacraments, pray together, unite our voices in songs of praise, and confess our common faith.
- We are also called to minimize the external needs of our brethren Can this take the form of a donation to the church deaconos fund.
- A donation to missionary work.
- Or a direct participation in aid efforts?Prepare meals for new mothers.
- Visit patients and their families.
- Or contribute to disaster situations.
Being a body in Christ has important implications for our relationships with other believers. John tells us that we must love one another, “for love comes from God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God” (1 John 4. 7). John also records the words of Christ in the same way:?I give you a new commandment: love one another; just as I loved you, that you also love each other. In this everyone will know that you are my disciples: if they love each other?(John 13:34?35). Our mutual love is based on God’s love for us in Christ.
God’s love for us manifests itself in our lives in many ways; It leads us to respond to God with love and leads us to love our brothers and sisters in faith (1 John 4. 11-12; 5. 1-3). It’s because we are a body, the body of Christ. No one hates his own body, but wants what is good for him (Ephesians 5:29); Likeever, those who are attached to the body of Christ do their part to care for that body; We worship together, use our gifts of God for the benefit of the body, suffer together, rejoice, and carry God’s burdens. each other (1 Corinthians 12. 12-31; Galatians 6. 2).
John warns that if we are not moved in this way, we may not be part of the body (1 John 4:20). Anyone who separates from this body does not have a safety base. There is no meaning in the Bible of a lone Christian. : we are united in Christ as the new temple of God (Ephesians 2:19-22). Christ does not live in those who are not united to this body.
Therefore, friends, we will not abandon the Holy Communion of the body of Christ, but we will love one another, encourage and care for one another (1 John 4:21; Hebrews 10: 23-25).