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.