"Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." James 1:22 (NKJV)

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Week 32: Share With God's People

"Share with God's people in need. Practice hospitality." ~ Romans 12:13

Back in April and May, I spent several weeks focusing on "one another" commands: encourage one another, serve one another, offer hospitality to one another, and greet one another with a holy kiss. These commands show us the way to live out the great command to love one another. They are specific, practical instructions about how we Christians are to live together.

One thing I'll take away from The James 1:22 Project is a stronger than ever conviction that God calls Christians to have deep affection for one another and to be in deep fellowship. You can't be a Christian all by yourself. Being actively involved in a community of believers is not merely beneficial to Christians; it's absolutely essential. As Christians, we're called to share with one another everything God has given to us: words of encouragement, talents and abilities, time, and affection. The call to care for one another and share with one another extends to our physical resources, including, as we see in Romans 12:13, our homes and our money.

The Book of Acts gives us a picture of what Romans 12:13 looked like in practice in the first century church:

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.



Acts 2:42-47.

Following the example of the early church in 21st century urban/suburban America is a huge challenge. The truth is that, in our church (CityLights) we're not physically "all together"---not even close. My family lives 37 miles east of the church, and other families live almost as far away to the north, west and south. As a result, authentic Christian fellowship is a huge challenge. Putting Romans 12:13 into practice takes planning and effort. For my family, it happens mostly (although not exclusively) in the context of small group life. Every Thursday evening our little band of Jesus followers (regular people with jobs and kids and other commitments) comes together to study God's word, to pray and to fellowship. It's made all the difference for Christina and me, and I'm so thankful for our dear friends in small group.

When Josie was born, we saw a great example of Romans 12:13 in practice. People from CityLights brought us meals for a month! A month of meals! And, keep in mind, we're a smallish church---only about 150 people on Sundays. Also bear in mind that we live about 45 minutes from the church. Some folks were driving over an hour to bring us a meal, and a lot of people did that twice. By the way, the food was excellent. The meals not only filled a need for us, but also made us feel loved. They made us feel, more than ever, a part of CityLights. This last week was about giving a little back to a couple families in the church---not out of a sense of indebtedness, but just because that's what Christians do.


Monday, September 13, 2010

Weeks 30 & 31: Rejoice With Those Who Rejoice; Mourn With Those Who Mourn

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." ~ Romans 12:15

A few weeks ago, Christina and I attended a 25th wedding anniversary party for some very dear friends who have devoted their lives to loving God and His people. A couple Sundays ago we attended a baby dedication for our new niece and nephew---miracle babies that, according to medical science, should never have been conceived. No doubt these were occasions worth celebrating.

I've always tried, however, to avoid those types of occasions---the big events with a crowd of people. I'm an introvert. It's not that I don't like people; I just like them in small doses. I'm recharged by being alone or with a few close friends. I'm drained by being in a large group of people. When it comes to weddings, I always tell Christina the same stuff: "What difference does it make if I go? There's gonna' be 200 people there. Nobody will notice whether I'm there or not."

In the last few weeks, however, God has used these commands to convict me of my selfishness and self-centeredness. He's shown me how petty my rationalizing is and how pathetic my excuses. These commands (rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn) call us us Christians out of preoccupation with self and and away from self-oriented thinking.

Being comfortable isn't the point. Being noticed certainly isn't the point. In fact, maybe sometimes being uncomfortable and/or not noticed is the point. God calls us to forget about ourselves and our convenience and to join with the feelings of others.

I don't think these commands are just about attending the big events, although my perspective on weddings and funerals will probably never be the same. I think it's also about celebrating and mourning the small victories and losses suffered by others. In my life, the call to rejoice with those who rejoice is not only a call to rejoice over weddings and births, but also a call to rejoice with my son over success on a spelling quiz or over a really neat paper airplane that he's made. The command to mourn with those who mourn is a call to be there for those who have suffered a tragic loss. Sadly, last week we attended the funeral visitation for a dear friend's brother who died far too young. On a daily basis, however, the call to mourn with those who mourn is a call to be there for those who suffer smaller but still significant losses. The command is a call, for example, to sympathize with a co-worker who has just suffered through a difficult phone call with a rude and insulting person. It's a call to sympathize with my spouse who has just had a very difficult day, even though I've also had a difficult day.

Something else I've noticed is what God does not command here. He doesn't command us to give advice to those who mourn. He doesn't command us to solve the problems of those who mourn. He doesn't even call us to speak encouraging words to those who mourn. There is a time for words of encouragement, and there is a time to speak the truth in love. In choosing our words and our timing, I believe we must be guided by Godly wisdom and the leading of the Holy Spirit. But let's not forget that the right response to those who mourn is often simply to join hands with them and to share in their grief.