Word:
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. -Hebrews 10:25 KJV
There is no such thing as lone Christianity. Being part of a church community is one of God’s purposes for us. Simply, being part of a church community is essential in one’s growth as a Christian. In fact, God uses the church to sanctify us as well. Having brothers or sisters in Christ to walk with you and lock arms with you is very important and is also important for you to have them with you as you advance God’s kingdom and fight the spiritual war. You see, in spiritual warfare, there is no such thing as “Rambo” or “one man army” you will need to have companions with you. Comrades in arms in other words. Even the best elite special forces operate in teams in which they rely and trust each other, and so we should also when it comes to spiritual warfare.
1.More than one
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. -Ecclesiastes 4:12 KJV
Ecclesiastes 4:12 greatly explains why we need brothers or sisters in arms as we fight. Basically a lone strand can easily be broken, but more than one strand makes it harder to be broken. Fighting the war that we have is not an easy thing, therefore you will need people who will lock arms with you, watch your back, and be there for you as well. Together you fight and advance God’s kingdom. Even Jesus when He commissioned and sent people to go out during His ministry, He sent them at least two by two, He didn’t send them one by one. Take a look at King David for example when He was waging wars or running away from Saul. King David had those mighty men around him.
2.Sharpening one another
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. -Proverbs 27:17 KJV
Another important reason why you need people around you is that they can see your blindspots and you don’t. You can’t even look at your own back physically, that would be creepy if you can, how much more your blindspots? You need people to correct you whenever you are not aware that you are already in the wrong. You might be growing arrogant, ignorant or prideful or you might be fighting the wrong way you need people to correct you. Basically, we grow with one another. Proverbs also emphasize how important it is to take heed to what others are telling you. One good example is Joab. When King David’s rebellious son Absalom was killed, King David mourned so much that it was his dead son who was in his mind all the time, it was as if his commanders and officers were nothing to him. King David was kind of neglecting the people he led, but Joab corrected King David and told him the truth without sugar coating it. You need people who will correct you whenever you yourself are not aware of your own mistakes. Sometimes it may be uncomfortable, but you need them, and it is far better than having no one to watch your back and correct you. Being with fellow believers is essential as we sharpen one another.
Having all of those said, you may ask yourself, are you part of a church community? If no, then you need to be part of one (provided that it is a good church with sound doctrines according to the Bible). If you are part of a church community, do you have people whom you consider brothers or sisters in arms like comrades? You can be part of a church community but don’t have them. It is not just enough to be part of a church community, you need to be involved.
Prayer/Confession:
Father, I thank You for Your church, Your Body that am not just part of but also share my life with. I thank You, because as I fight in Your war, I am not fighting alone. Aside from fighting together with You, I am also fighting together with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who share the same passion and zeal for Your will to fulfill Your commands. Just as they are there for me, I shall also be there for them and show them love. By Your grace. In Jesus name. Amen.