Engaging in Christian Community

There are two very important reasons why we need community and connection within the body of Christ. First, we need community to hold us accountable. Notice the first three words in today’s verse, “And let us…” That means being connected with others.
 
God intends for us to be in relationship with people, and accountability comes as part of that relationship. All of us need accountability. We need people in our lives who are holding us accountable. We allow them to speak into our lives about the decisions we are making, the directions we are heading, and what we are doing. We need that accountability because that is part of “spurring one another on.”
 
Second, we need our community to encourage us. I don't know about you, but I need encouragement. Don't you? We need that and long for that. We are made for that kind of encouragement. We need someone to push us to take the next step. Some of us really need to hear those words of perseverance and support.
 
We need encouragement from people who love Jesus to say, “Keep on keeping on. Take the next step. Don't worry about the end game. Just do the next right thing and keep moving.” We need that. It is hard to really feel that in a large gathering, but that's why we have small groups. We need the accountability and encouragement that comes from spurring one another on.
 
Do you have community within the body of Christ? Are there people in your life who encourage you and hold you accountable? If not, I would encourage you to ask God to bring people like that into your life. Thereby, you can continue to grow in your faith as a result of engaging and connecting with other believers.