Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.
Ecclesiates 4:9
The joys of community
At the heart of every Christ-centered community is love. Despite inevitable moments of discord or awkwardness, the ultimate core of community is experiencing the love of others, and, through that, experiencing the love of God. As we do, we can’t help but share with others out of the abundance we’ve received.
When people gather together because of Christ, His presence counteracts the consequences of the Fall, bringing His Kingdom of wholeness to the world and to our hearts. Once again, we can catch a glimpse of the joyful, loving communion the Lord originally intended for His beloved creation.
The Amplified Version expounds upon Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 â€AMPC‬‬ in the following manner, “Two are better than one, because they have a good [more satisfying] reward for their labor; For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie down together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone? And though a man might prevail against him who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken”.
Two, who live together in any kind of society, and join their powers together in any enterprises; which he opposeth to that humour of the covetous man, who desired to live alone, as was now said. A good reward for their labour; both have great benefit by such combinations and conjunctions of their counsels and abilities, whereby they do exceedingly support, and encourage, and strengthen one another, and effect many things which neither of them alone could do. Bible Hub
When we step into a community, amazing things happen. We become stronger followers of Christ because of it. On the contrary, we cannot allow the things and situations of our seasons to cause us to withdraw from the community. Often when we withdraw from the community, we experience more loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Imagine being alone in a box, and you’re in that box for years and years. During that time, you can’t receive or give love. That is not a community. A community of believers that comes together is a group of people wanting to build each other up for the sake of Christ. God wants us to give and receive His love and then spread that to others. This is just one of the many reasons why a community in Christ is so important.
A man without friends is like a left hand without the right.
Ginsburg
Daily Reflections:
- Reflect, individually or as a group, on times when the presence of others has helped you overcome emotional, physical, spiritual, or social poverty.
- Rejoice in the community that surrounds you by sharing words of affirmation and thanksgiving for others, either in person or in writing.
- Can you remember a specific moment in your life or season when God sent or placed you in a community that impacted you?
- How was your life impacted? How was your relationship with Christ impacted?
Daily Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for this simple truth that impacts our lives, that two are better than one. What a privilege we have as the Body of Christ, to support and encourage one another in the work that You have given us to do. Give me grace and wisdom to hold the things of this world lightly and to consider the needs of others before my own. Unite Your people together in the bond of peace, and may we be a living testimony to the goodness and grace of God and work together for the furtherance of the gospel. This I ask in Jesus’ name, AMEN.
Questions:
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