You May Be the Answer to My Need, and I May Be the Answer to Yours
Jesus did not come to suffer so that we wouldn't have to. He clearly taught that in this world, we would have trouble (John 16:33). As Peter said, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you" (I Peter 4:12).
Whether we suffer in this life is not the question. How we suffer is the opportunity we have to apply the truth of Scripture's teaching. Jesus offers His own "community" (companionship) as we walk the path He designed for us with the help of His presence:
"It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” - Deut. 31:18
"Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." - Matt. 28:20
Another precious gift He offers is one-anotherness: community in the body of Christ. We are not alone in our suffering, but we easily forget that if we forsake the assembling of ourselves with other believers (Heb. 10:25). Our adversary uses isolation as a tool for separating us from each other, making us easy prey for his attacks. As fellow cross-bearers, we need to know we're not alone. We need community. As cells in the body do not function independently of each other, neither do members of the body of Christ.
"We may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." ~ 2 Cor. 1:4
If you or I have been blessed with the "gift of suffering" and the "gift of desperation", we are responsible to be good stewards of God's investment in us. Rather than hiding it in shame like the foolish servant, we should re-invest it for the Kingdom so that our Master may receive His own with interest (see Matthew 25:14-27). What does that look like?
Our adversary uses isolation as a tool for separating us from each other, making us easy prey for his attacks. As fellow cross-bearers, we need to know we're not alone.
" Brothers [and sisters], if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:1-2
Face it. We live in a fallen, sinful world where people are born sinners. Period. We suffer from the effects of sin we bring upon ourselves; we suffer from the effects of others' sins toward us; we suffer because sin brings forth death and loss. Galatians 6:1 clearly spells out what we should do.
I previously thought this verse only referred to people whose own sin had entrapped them, but now I can see that it could also mean people who have been hurt by others' transgressions. Either way, it is the people of God (that is, you or I) who, through God's power, can facilitate restoration for that person (that is, you or me). The reason a watch must be kept is that we are all susceptible to the same sinful nature, capable of any sin imaginable, and (in the case of the restorer rather than the restoree) can use an occasion to take advantage of the other person's vulnerability during their time of healing. Finally, we are instructed (directed, commanded, mandated) to fulfill the law of Christ (do exactly as He does) and bear (share) each other's burdens. We are all on equal footing, without regard to status, "race" (I know, that's a misnomer. because there's only one race: the human race), gender, or any other distinction. That means that everyone is included when it comes to frailty, vulnerability, makeup, faults, and humanity. As image-bearers, we share much in common.
We have many New Testament examples of Jesus Himself being refreshed in small group gatherings. We know he was personal friends with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, meeting in their home on more than one occasion; he was in Peter's home when Peter's mother-in-law fell sick. There were 12 with whom He shared most of His days, and 3 very close friends who were with Him during some monumental moments.
Jesus needed community. So do we. We need a safe place to share life; to share burdens and have our burdens borne. We need encouragement for our struggles, whether they are sins, temptations, or growth points in our Christian life. As James 5:16 indicates, when believers get together and pray, healing takes place, and the prayers for those involved is very effective. Jesus prays for us (Rom. 8:34), and we should pray for each other.
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." ` James 5:16
Much of our hurt can take place within the context of relationships. So, too, does our healing.
A small group of believers with whom we can laugh, pray, talk, and study is essential to our healing, growth, and well-being. Science has proved that a circle of friends not only extends life, but improves its quality. (Consider Okinawa, one of the globe's "blue zones", in which women are placed in a group of 5-6 friends from infancy, in which they grow and share, causing impressive longevity.) I believe Jesus wants this for all of us, which is why Scripture outlines so clearly our need for each other.
Subscribe to free weekly articles in your inbox HERE; your information will never be shared. :-)
©2020 Julianne Knapp. First published 7.8.20
Whether we suffer in this life is not the question. How we suffer is the opportunity we have to apply the truth of Scripture's teaching. Jesus offers His own "community" (companionship) as we walk the path He designed for us with the help of His presence:
"It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” - Deut. 31:18
"Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." - Matt. 28:20
Another precious gift He offers is one-anotherness: community in the body of Christ. We are not alone in our suffering, but we easily forget that if we forsake the assembling of ourselves with other believers (Heb. 10:25). Our adversary uses isolation as a tool for separating us from each other, making us easy prey for his attacks. As fellow cross-bearers, we need to know we're not alone. We need community. As cells in the body do not function independently of each other, neither do members of the body of Christ.
"We may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." ~ 2 Cor. 1:4
If you or I have been blessed with the "gift of suffering" and the "gift of desperation", we are responsible to be good stewards of God's investment in us. Rather than hiding it in shame like the foolish servant, we should re-invest it for the Kingdom so that our Master may receive His own with interest (see Matthew 25:14-27). What does that look like?
Our adversary uses isolation as a tool for separating us from each other, making us easy prey for his attacks. As fellow cross-bearers, we need to know we're not alone.
" Brothers [and sisters], if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:1-2
Face it. We live in a fallen, sinful world where people are born sinners. Period. We suffer from the effects of sin we bring upon ourselves; we suffer from the effects of others' sins toward us; we suffer because sin brings forth death and loss. Galatians 6:1 clearly spells out what we should do.
I previously thought this verse only referred to people whose own sin had entrapped them, but now I can see that it could also mean people who have been hurt by others' transgressions. Either way, it is the people of God (that is, you or I) who, through God's power, can facilitate restoration for that person (that is, you or me). The reason a watch must be kept is that we are all susceptible to the same sinful nature, capable of any sin imaginable, and (in the case of the restorer rather than the restoree) can use an occasion to take advantage of the other person's vulnerability during their time of healing. Finally, we are instructed (directed, commanded, mandated) to fulfill the law of Christ (do exactly as He does) and bear (share) each other's burdens. We are all on equal footing, without regard to status, "race" (I know, that's a misnomer. because there's only one race: the human race), gender, or any other distinction. That means that everyone is included when it comes to frailty, vulnerability, makeup, faults, and humanity. As image-bearers, we share much in common.
We have many New Testament examples of Jesus Himself being refreshed in small group gatherings. We know he was personal friends with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, meeting in their home on more than one occasion; he was in Peter's home when Peter's mother-in-law fell sick. There were 12 with whom He shared most of His days, and 3 very close friends who were with Him during some monumental moments.
Jesus needed community. So do we. We need a safe place to share life; to share burdens and have our burdens borne. We need encouragement for our struggles, whether they are sins, temptations, or growth points in our Christian life. As James 5:16 indicates, when believers get together and pray, healing takes place, and the prayers for those involved is very effective. Jesus prays for us (Rom. 8:34), and we should pray for each other.
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." ` James 5:16
Much of our hurt can take place within the context of relationships. So, too, does our healing.
A small group of believers with whom we can laugh, pray, talk, and study is essential to our healing, growth, and well-being. Science has proved that a circle of friends not only extends life, but improves its quality. (Consider Okinawa, one of the globe's "blue zones", in which women are placed in a group of 5-6 friends from infancy, in which they grow and share, causing impressive longevity.) I believe Jesus wants this for all of us, which is why Scripture outlines so clearly our need for each other.
Subscribe to free weekly articles in your inbox HERE; your information will never be shared. :-)
©2020 Julianne Knapp. First published 7.8.20
|
|