RushwaveChapter 5: The Church as a Relational Community (part 3)
from Church Vision, book 3 in the series The Christian Faith
Believers are to confront an erring church member who is unrepentant about a sinful lifestyle. “We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly. 1 Thessalonians 5:14. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 2 Thessalonians 3:14–15. Sometimes believers become ensnared in sin, and their heart will become hardened. In these cases, the church must not be hostile towards the sinner and consider him an enemy. But they also must not act as if everything is fine, and continue normal social relations. The sinner must be earnestly confronted and exhorted to turn from his sin.
Believers are to use their God given gifts, talents and abilities to serve other members. “… As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another …” 1 Peter 4:8. “… through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13. God has bestowed spiritual gifts to His people; gifts that are empowered by God’s Spirit. It may be the gift to teach, lead, give, serve, or show mercy. God has also bestowed various talents such as the ability to sing, manage finances, play an instrument, or the like. In whatever way, believers are to use their gifts and talents to serve others.
Now the scriptures cited here represent just a portion of the many exhortations and commands to God’s people. And these scriptures speak for themselves as to the relational aspect of the church community. It is impossible to fulfill these scriptures without engaging in personal, in-depth conversation regarding one’s feelings, struggles, needs, blessings, trials, and sufferings. It is impossible to obey these exhortations and commands living a solitary life and keeping to oneself. It is impossible to fulfill these scriptures and remain anonymous — it cannot be done. It is clear God’s design for the church to be a highly relational, engaged community of people; that is to be the culture of the church.
But all these commands and exhortations make clear there is much more going on than believers simply interacting with each other and having conversations.
People who do not know Jesus get together all the time for social activities, entertainment, dining, and the like. And even atheists can get together to discuss their week, their job, their home projects, sports activities, their feelings, their children, and so on. And unbelievers even show hospitality to one another and can offer help. But what is lacking in those interactions and conversations between unbelievers is a spiritual dimension, and we should note at least two differences.
First, it is critical to understand the motivation from which all these biblical exhortations and commands are to spring — the spirit in which they are to be fulfilled. Believers engage in these activities not to be accepted by God or to earn their way to heaven, nor do they constitute a checklist to be mindlessly completed. On the contrary, believers understand salvation is a free gift secured through trusting in Jesus. They also have had a supernatural transformation of heart wherein love is the ruling principle. So while unbelievers may engage in similar activities such as seeking to uplift another who is discouraged, the Christian does so from a heart transformed by God and with a view to obey Christ.
Second, not only is the motive of believers different when fulfilling these biblical exhortations and commands, but the nature and character of their interactions and conversations are different as well. Unbelievers will talk about many earthly things, but God never enters into the discussion. But believers are to pray with each other and appeal to God for grace and wisdom. Believers are to discuss spiritual things and bring God into the conversation. Believers are to exhort one another from scripture, and remind one another of the promises of God.
Now yes, believers may be apprehensive or insecure about fulfilling some of these scriptures. One may say “I don’t feel comfortable praying for someone else … I don’t know how” or “I don’t have as much knowledge as this other person, what can they learn from me?” If one feels insecure, that is the perfect opportunity to learn to start living not by how you feel, but by the word of God. Do you feel uncomfortable praying? Very well, do it anyway because the scripture says to do so. Are you hesitant to introduce yourself to someone you do not know? Very well, introduce yourself anyway because it is written that you should build-up your brethren in their faith. Push past feelings, insecurities, and negative emotions, and learn to live by the word of God.
So in summary God’s vision for the church is to be a highly relational community. But being a relational community does not mean just being a friendly and social community; even the world can do that. Church members are to relate to one another on a spiritual level both in their motivation in and nature of their interactions and conversations. A church service is not simply a social gathering. Believers are to share what God has been doing in their lives. They can say to their brethren “Here is how God answered my prayer,” “This is what I learned from God’s word this week.” And they can also ask “What has God been ministering to you lately?” and “Is there any way I can pray for you?” In short, a church service is not merely the time of singing and teaching on a Sunday morning. It is the time before and after the singing and teaching segments where believers actively engage in these relational activities one-on-one, face-to-face. And communication and ministry extends throughout the week.
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