Ceuti67's Blog

You know something, neither you or I can grow to spiritual maturity by ourselves. You can try it, but you’re going to be lonely, weak, and spiritually stunted. The more you involve other people in your life who are strong in the Lord, the more you will grow in spiritual maturity.

Spiritual growth is relational and it was always intended to be. To put it plainly, we’re better together!

The Bible says, “I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you” (Romans 1:12 NCV).

In Scripture there are 56 “one another” commands that you cannot obey unless you’re engaged and part of a group of brothers and sisters. Don’t believe me? Need some examples? How about:

1. Love one another (1 John 4:7-10)
2. Care for one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
3. Help one another (Galatians 6:2)
4. Encourage one another (Hebrews 3:13)
5. Pray for one another (James 5:16)
6. Share with one another (Hebrews 13:16)

God wired us so that we need and have to be connected in HIS family in order to grow.

The number one thing God wants you and I to learn in life is how to love him and other people. The very reason you recoil and reject being a part of a faith community is in fact the very reason you need to be a part of one. You might think, “But, there might be some people who disagree with me or people who are irritating.” You need those people! You need people in your life who sometimes think differently than you, that challenge your self-centeredness, and teach you to be generous and think of others.

Some people never grow up. They’re stuck thinking it’s all about “me”—“my” schedule, needs, problems, and priorities. Often, those are the people that refuse to open themselves up to being in community. But if the whole point of life is to learn to love, then you’ve got to push yourself out of your comfort zone and into a group of people that will support and encourage you to fulfill your purpose.

I’m reminded of a remark my mother made when I was still living in my parents home. During a “discussion” between my parents one day that revolved around frustrations that had arisen specifically in my dad in regard to the church we were attending….my mother responded by saying “I go to church to draw closer to God – not to seek after the approval of others.” She nailed it I believe. Church is filled with people and even though each one of us is “fearfully and wonderfully made”; we still have sharp edges and issues that sometimes make relationship hard. It might seem tempting to pull away but in doing so we ultimately are losing out on God’s design for the each of us individually as well as the body of believers…..family if you will.

Friends I urge you to resist the urge to unplug from fellowship and do life remotely and at a distance. We only grow in community….it’s time we all plug back in!

“Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good. Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

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