After reading a Barnabas Man blog entitled “The Worth of Trusted Friends”, one of the dear ladies in our Life Group responded with this email…“Great blog Rick! We have come to learn this truth on such a personal level. In the past, we went through life alone and thought we were doing good. We look back now realizing we have missed that aspect in our lives deeply. We cherish each person that God has brought into our lives and hope to live up to the Godly standard of friendship for each and every one of you! We are so blessed by everyone’s strengths and definitely by their prayers. We made it to Denver. Before, our moves have been filled with an intense level of anxiety and uncertainty. We know, that because of our community, their prayers, their teachings, and their support, what could have been life altering stress became so much easier. We won’t do life alone anymore!” She finished her email off quoting Hebrews 10:23-25, “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.”
Allow me to give you a bit of background on the above couple. They lived in Illinois; yet, got involved with Re:Engage in Rockwall, TX online via Zoom. Their Group Leaders are alive with the Lord and understand the empowerment and accountability of community. This couple became amazingly involved with four other couples and their group leaders. A couple months back, they flew from Chicago to Dallas to be baptized giving testimony of their faith in Jesus. Via Zoom, they have become involved in our Life Group community. They are a part of us.
Let’s go back to the verses that she quoted above regarding community:
- “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” This is base of every vibrant, authentic Christian community. 1 John 1:7 addresses community, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” Jesus is in the midst of our fellowship with one another. That my friend is “koinonia”. Paul defines “koinonia” this way, “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
- “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.” There is no doubt it. God wants you to become a participating member in “koinonia” community “encouraging one another.”
Don’t live life alone anymore!
Barnabas Man 