Christian Togetherness

In this day of individuality and internet intelligence, most of us are hard-pressed to give a coherent answer to people seeking a godly meaning for maintaining local Churches. These two gifts from God are detrimental to Christianity unless they are continually surrendered to God in humility. Maybe a few basic reminders about the “tie that binds us” will help us see the importance of setting ourselves aside and joining with other Christians. The root word of “togetherness” primarily denotes a blood relative. Our society has some sayings to the effect that nothing is stronger than a blood connection. The authentic Church is being formed out of the blood of Jesus Christ and this is the powerful connection between genuine believers. The Church member, according to our Savior, was to live in personal weakness but to find their strength in His blood that was given for His family. In response to the individualism, many Church leaders are calling for uniformity which is “not” the togetherness that God wants for His family.

Being an individual is one of the greatest gifts God ever gave. But Paul felt that even individuals with the right attitude could have a common purpose and work together to accomplish our mission of separating from the world. He worried in this passage that the Spirit was at work when they came together but that they were not doing their part. Is there; Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Phil 2:1-2 (NLT) “One mind and purpose” is called like-mindedness and it means unanimity and not uniformity. He wants us to be unanimous in our love and dedication to Him and His family. Our Christianity begins as the power of the blood regenerates our mind.  Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. Eph 4:21-24 (NLT) It is our duty to “put on” or make the Spirit real in our life in order to benefit others.

A covenant community is what we are part of and together we are to stand strong against the devil and this world. Having a united strength in our stand is important or the Scriptures would not encourage this behavior repeatedly. These are the last days of Christianity on earth and we must be ready to leave for our Heavenly home. However, a Christian will worry about the lives of other people even more than themselves. A well known verse says; Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Heb 10:23-25 (NLT) In America many churches meet together but they have no spiritual togetherness. This begs a difficult question “How can we meet in spiritual togetherness while living in this rebellious nation?” Like many difficult spiritual questions the answer must be learned in our hearts first.

The assembly of believers, before the advent of the Holy Spirit, was not personal. It was all about formal religious ceremonies. We are all aware of the many requirements of God’s law which a believer was to fulfill. For example; “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. James 2:8-10 (NLT) No one is able to keep the Law of religion so God replaced it. After the Holy Spirit moved into the hearts of Christians the need for ceremonies was greatly reduced. But it has always been difficult for people to give up the comfort of religious ceremony (or laws). Therefore, we have many needless activities that have misdirected people away from the reality of God. The fact still remains that we need companionship, relationships, sometimes protection. Of course, it is necessary to provide the functions of a New Testament assembly that have been ordained in Scriptures. In short, the new assembly is about togetherness.

The secret of real spiritual togetherness is contained in the attitude of Jesus Christ himself.  I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. John 10:15-16 (NLT) We all know that Jesus wanted to die in order to rescue us from death but do we remember what he told us to do? So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 (NLT) The kind of love He is talking about is dying for your brothers and sisters. This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. John 15:12-14 (NLT) This kind of togetherness will never fail and will be the theme of any genuine local Church. A gathering of people who feel a total responsibility for each other will produce results that will satisfy all the members.

There is a feeble spiritual connection between believers today because the modern church has fallen into uniform programs because they are easy to control. But the connection is also weak because we don’t feel proper responsibility for other people like we should. We need help to overcome this huge problem. So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor 12:9-10 (NLT) Paul says that weakness is his spiritual strength. Most of us need to make ourselves weaker so that the Spirit of Christ can take over our life and direct us into a spiritual togetherness that will benefit every Christian. Love is the answer to the local churches needs. Do we love the way we have been commanded by our Savior? Togetherness is our most difficult assignment and we are selfishly ignoring it in favor of our own comfort.

Whole Hearted

God has asked every Christian to be whole hearted. The Creator of everything that exists actually has earned the right to demand this of humans. Instead, He has lovingly requested that we commit ourselves to Him of our own freewill. Some people maintain that they love God but never have shown the least bit of whole-heartedness. We should have strong feelings about the love that God has shown toward us. Heaven will be full of people who have a fervor or strong desire to fight for righteousness. With the proper devotion and enthusiasm a whole hearted Christian is the happiest person in the world. There is something very freeing in our life when we are submissive to the God of all creation. Many times the Old Testament gave directions to be wholehearted and David was the best. You have not been like my servant David, who obeyed my commands and followed me with all his heart and always did whatever I wanted. 1 Kings 14:8 (NLT) Most of us would like to be loved like David. Let’s look at some of the old instructions and maybe we will feel that being whole hearted about God is for us.

If we have strayed from our faith in God it is our duty to search for Him again. When Israel had been dispersed among the nations, because of their sins, the Lord Almighty sent this message to them.  But from there you will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him. Deut 4:29 (NLT) What a great promise, that if we search with all our heart God will take us back into His care. It would be terrible if the Lord were to hold grudges and our wholeheartedness had no meaning to Him. God has asked us to love Him because it is appropriate behavior toward our great and loving Creator. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands (righteous living) that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Deut 6:5-7 (NLT) Teaching children to obey God is our duty and a part of being whole hearted.

Some people are confused when we tell them they must fear God. However, those that are wholehearted understand exactly why we fear God. And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. Deut 10:12 (NLT) somehow it feels right because of the greatness of our God. Most people have week knees when they stand before a judge or leader of our nation. There are many blessings while we live here on earth for people that want to obey the Lord our God.  If you carefully obey all the commands (live righteously) I am giving you today, and if you love the Lord your God and serve him with all your heart and soul, then he will send the rains in their proper seasons— Deut 11:13-14 (NLT) When Jesus was talking to his disciples He said that if they would put God first in their lives that every other part of their life would be taken care of by God. It is a great feeling to know that God is caring for each of His children.

Being whole hearted is serious to God. At times He will even test people so that they will be able to see their own heart. The Lord your God is testing you to see if you truly love him with all your heart and soul. Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him. Deut 13:3-4 (NLT) Fearing God by listening and obeying are the foundations for a great relationship and if we are tested it is always for our benefit. Some people tell us that because the grace of Jesus covers our sin, there is no reason to live righteously. They do not understand the great difference between not caring about their sins and the failures of Christians that are whole hearted toward God. The Lord always wants us to be righteous. Today the Lord your God has commanded you to obey all these decrees and regulations. So be careful to obey them wholeheartedly. Deut 26:16 (NLT) Living for God is the most important thing that a human can do with their life. A careless attitude is counterproductive to our eternity.

Every Christian should mature enough to teach someone about Jesus. I will continue to teach you what is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you. 1 Sam 12:23-24 (NLT) An old song tells us to count our blessings. The number must be enormous if we start counting with each breath the Lord gives us. The great thing is that the more faithful we are to Jesus, the more wonderful things there are to remember. But be very careful to obey all the commands and the instructions that Moses gave to you. Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul. Josh 22:5 (NLT) There are people that will say “We don’t follow the law of Moses anymore.” This is true but the law of the Spirit is written in every redeemed heart and it is many times more demanding. It is not reasonable to think that our great God does not want us to obey Him.

Humans have always had help if they would accept it. I will give them hearts that recognize me as the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God Jer 24:7 (NLT) There are people who claim serving God is too difficult. They fail to realize that someone seeking the Creator will be given a new heart with great understanding and ability. We may enter into a covenant with God which is the greatest opportunity ever given to any person. Then they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and soul. For they had entered into it with all their heart. They earnestly sought after God, and they found him. 2 Chron 15:12,15 (NLT) The fact is that because of the Spirit of God living in us we have a chance to serve that far exceeds all of the Old Testament provisions. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:11 (NLT) This whole hearted and eternal life is worth any and every price that can be paid. Praise the Lord!