FAITH THAT WORKS WEEK 4:
NO MORE HIDING
“Christian brotherhood is not an ideal which we must realize; it is rather a reality created by God in Christ in which we may participate.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together
God is a relational and communal God. He created man in his own image so that there could be relationship. He said in Genesis 2:18 that it wasn’t good that man would be alone and so God created woman. Then throughout the Bible, we see time and time again where we are instructed to be in good healthy relationships with one another for care, for support, and for accountability. So if we were created for relationship, why is it so difficult for us to be in trusting, growing relationships with other believers?
Unfortunately, too often the idea of small group relationships (although sounding good on the surface) requires more than many of us are willing to offer of ourselves. Maybe it is because we are carrying hurt or mistrust because of past situations. Maybe it is because opening our lives up to another person could cost us more than we are willing to give up. Maybe it is a fear of not being accepted once the group finds out what our past is. Regardless of the reason, many shy away from stepping into authentic community, even when they want to.
James wraps up his writing by stressing the importance of being in relationship with other believers. He instructs us to pray for each other so that healing can happen. He tells us to confess our sins to one another so that accountability is possible. This isn’t so that people can know our deep dark secrets or to expose some blatant problem in our lives, but rather so that we can find true healing and restoration. These things are not found alone; they are found together.
God never gives up on us. He continues to want to be in relationship with each of us. Go to God in prayer. Share your life with other Jesus-followers. Step into authentic community. Help other people find their way back home to Jesus. You were created for community, so live in the community God provides.