Community

I feel as though one of the greatest things Christians lack is community.  Perhaps the individualism does come from our culture, or the way we are, but I seriously doubt it.  In my experience, it comes from our own sinful Pride.  I don’t feel comfortable sharing my faults, or sins, so why would I want to actually be in any meaningful relationship?  Repentance is difficult, and reconciliation can be awkward; and both are certainly damaging to my pride!

Coming to college has been an eye opening experience and I’ve struggled to understand and comprehend the differences between the life I’ve lived and the ways I see people living.  I have difficulty with the devotion and loyalty people have to one another, the seeming lack of importance placed on community and the shallowness of people in general. 

Despite living that way myself just a few years ago (perhaps I continue to today), I find myself unable to articulate why it is so egregious, and my efforts to encourage even my best of friends has failed with harsh consequences.  It pains me to see them live their life unable to rejoice, suffer and worship with those they love. 

Why do Christians object so strongly to love?  What is it we don’t understand?

My goal over the next few weeks is to try and understand a few things:

1.       What does it look like to love?  Because I feel as though Christians have such a misunderstanding of what love looks like, I’m afraid this will turn out to be more of a list of ‘love is not’ rather than ‘love is’ – but I hope that it comes out through love and concern rather than disappointment and condemnation.

2.       How should we love?  Similar to the above question, but more ideological than practical.  It’s important that Christians strive for perfection, even though we know it to be impossible.

3.       Why should we love and be involved in the community around us?  I desire for this to be filled with scripture, as I believe it is abundantly clear as to why.  Unfortunately, Christians frequently find themselves not giving credence to the importance the Bible puts on community.

As Christians we must strive to better understand and live out the gospel, and the primary way this is done is through love.  You’ve heard it said that God is love, so why do Christians not want to live the same way?  If everything we do is for the Glory of God, then why do we have such a proclivity against love and relationships?

One of my favorite quotes is by Saint Augustine:

“Love God, and do as you please.”

I believe that so much can be drawn from this quote and the implications are endless.  It’s not enough for us to simply think about God.  Love isn’t best when described.  Community doesn’t work with pride.  The amount that we’re involved with the community with those around us – both Christians and non-Christians – is a visible sign of our love and the desire that we have for God’s glory to rule our lives.