 I Know
I think we often hear that we need to love the local church and we know that is right but, how do I practically love the local church? The truth is that the New Testament is full of practical advice on this important subject. But before we dive into those things let me point out some things this doesn’t mean. If you think loving the local church means just becoming complacent and apathetic because that seems like what everyone else is doing, that is not loving the local church. If you think loving the local church means learning to endure loneliness and boredom with a smile, that is not loving the local church. If you think that loving the local church means you have to love the building or the schedule or the style, none of that is what loving the local church means. Loving the local church means committing to love a group of believers and be there for them in all circumstances. Loving the local church will take time, toil and tears. But please understand this one thing, loving the local church is worth it because Jesus loves it. As I said the New Testament is full of practical instruction about loving one another in the local church. I hope that this post will spark your interest and you will search out and find more examples in the Bible. Hospitality The Bible in both the Old and New Testaments is full of examples of gracious and honorable hospitality. Oftentimes this is extended to strangers or traveling teachers. But in the New Testament we are given specific instructions to show hospitality and be hospitable (Romans 12:13). Now you maybe think what does that mean? I promised you practical advice. So invite people over for a meal. It doesn’t have to be fancy just get together. You could also choose to have a cookout or sit around a campfire or play cards. Every time you get together does not have to be a Bible study. I would expect that more often than not these times would have a spiritual and Biblical component because you are spiritual and biblical people but the point is to get together the way you naturally do with friends and family. Help Each Other If we are in a local church we should be helping each other. This can mean helping fix a waterline, move furniture, build a deck. Our church family is who we should be calling when we need a hand. This means that we are also on call when everyone else needs a hand. Literally I mean that if your car breaks down you should be thinking who in our church lives the closest to me right now. Do you need encouragement, advice, counsel that’s what we are here for as brothers and sisters in the local church. We can fix meals for each other or give somebody a ride. We need to be looking for practical needs that we can meet. We also need close enough relationships that we will ask for help when we need it. Pray We need to pray for each other. Now you may think that you already know this and do this. But I mean that we as individual persons in the local church should be seeking to regularly pray for all the members of our local church. This will help us to notice when they have been gone. It will also help us to stay attuned to what is happening in their lives. Most important as we are praying for each other our hearts are knit together (Colossians 2:1-3) and God is pleased with that kind of unity (Psalm 133).
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