Treasured Accountability- Growing Together As Members Of The Body Of Christ
What is the Christian community all about? Steph encourages believers to build each other up, and grow together as members of the body of Christ.
Personal Or Community?
Is faith a personal thing or is it about community?
The answer is yes.
Hebrews 10:19-25 says,
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near”
Hebrews 10:19-25 (ESV).
We often think of our natural and our spiritual lives as separate things. And yet, one most definitely affects the other.
Physical And Spiritual Wellbeing
When I participated in the Clutter Free Bible Study during Lent, I began to realize the spiritual implications of accumulating things I don’t need and keeping things I don’t use. It’s surprising what my clutter says about my spiritual condition. It was because of this study and our online community that I came face to face with issues that went far beyond a cluttered home.
Recently I joined an online weight loss challenge. Although we’ve incorporated a little friendly competition, the members of the group are supportive and encouraging. Participation in this group—and the fact that my husband is doing well in the area of weight loss—have been extremely motivating.
Although what we weigh has more to do with our physical wellbeing than our spiritual wellbeing, developing discipline and self-control are important for both.
I alone must exercise discipline in order to declutter my home—and prevent the accumulation of even more things we don’t need. I alone must make wise choices when it comes to the foods and beverages I consume. And yet, in both cases, accountability—and the support of others who empathize with what I’m dealing with—have proven highly motivating.
Not only have I been encouraged, but I’ve also had the opportunity to encourage those taking the journey with me. And isn’t that what the Christian community is about?
Accept Salvation As Individuals And Grow Together As Christians
It isn’t enough that our parents, our grandparents, or the church we attend believe and live out the truth of the Scriptures. Each of us must come to believe that we have sinned, that Jesus took the punishment for that sin when He died on the cross, and that He rose victorious over sin and death. As individuals, we must accept the gift of salvation and commit to developing our relationship with Him all the days of our life.
And yet, we can’t do it on our own. We aren’t meant to.
Romans 12:5 says,
… we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another
Romans 12:5 (ESV).
First Corinthians 12:27 says,
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
I Corinthians 12:27 (ESV).
We Are All Members Of The Body Of Christ
As believers, we are members of the body of Christ. Although we can only begin to understand the implications, we must remember how unique and vital each individual body part is. There are many people who have learned to compensate for missing or injured body parts. However, accomplishing the tasks before us is easiest if all appendages and organs are functioning as they should.
And the same is true of the body of Christ. The Scriptures teach us the importance of drawing on God’s strength to fulfill the plans and purposes He has for us. And as we read in today’s passage, we are also responsible to “stir up one another to love and good works.”
We must accept the fact that we are responsible to and for one another.
Leaders of the Church
There are those who are called to do so as leaders of the church: pastors, teachers, elders, etc. But each of us can come alongside other believers and journey with them. This is the case with the Clutter Free and weight loss groups I’m part of. Even “the leaders” don’t claim to have arrived. They, too, are still works-in-progress.
Even mature, gifted church leaders are still in the process of drawing closer to the Lord and more effectively making Him known.
Will we spend time this day getting to know God better? Will we accept the fact that we’re responsible to fellow believers as well as to the Lord? Will we humble ourselves and become accountable to others? And will we, in grace and humility, accept God’s call to hold others accountable as well?
We really do need one another!
What do you think it means to be part of the church? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
Steph Nickel
Steph Beth Nickel is eclectically interested and eclectically involved. In all she does, Steph seeks to nurture and inspire. She is currently working on the first book in a nonfiction series. Nurture and Inspire LOVE is a compilation of the first devotionals she wrote for HopeStreamRadio.
Steph is a freelance writer and editor. She is the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’ award-winning memoir, Living Beyond My Circumstances, published by Castle Quay Books. Deb and Steph are working on a follow-up book.
You can visit her website, stephbethnickel.com, to learn more about her.
Visit Steph’s contributor’s page or at Steph Nickel’s Eclectic Interests.
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