Press On In Godly Community

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:24-25

Yesterday, we started talking about the reasons why we need the brotherhood within our local church as we follow Jesus. The Christian life was never meant to be lived alone, which is why God created us to live in community with other believers. In yesterday’s devotion, we discussed how we need the accountability and encouragement that comes from the local church. If you missed that devotion, I would highly recommend you go back and read it. But for today, let’s look at three more reasons we need the Christian brotherhood.

The third reason we need the brotherhood is so we can serve together. God wants us to be involved in ministry. He wants us to serve. He doesn't want you to just sit and learn things. He wants you to learn Scripture to do things. It is important for us to act out the love we see in God’s Word. It is very important that you find a ministry where you can connect with people and be involved in personally.

You can do that through small groups and through other ministry opportunities, but the responsibility is on you to do good deeds and express the love of Christ. That is why you need the body of Christ, because if you are not connected to the body of Christ, and you are not part of a church, there is no one to spur you on.

The fourth reason we need the brotherhood is to meet together. Christianity is not meant to be a lonely, isolated experience; you and I need each other. God wants the early church to serve as the example, but we also need to be the example in this age. Thank the Lord for the software programs that we have today so we can connect with each other online, see each other online, and listen to Bible teaching online. However, there is no substitute for being physically present. We desperately need to continue meeting in person if we can because that is how God has created us.

And finally, the fifth reason we need the brotherhood is so we don’t give up. Scripture tells us in the last part of our key passage in verse 25 “…but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day approaching.” Many of us are right on the edge of giving up. Some of us are going through a difficult time. Maybe it is relationally, financially, physically, or emotionally. We need each other and we need to encourage each other to not give up during these difficult times. You need other people to tell you, “Don’t give up.” And you also need to be involved in other people's lives to say, “Don't give up.”

I hope that you’ll take each of these five truths we’ve discussed the last two days as encouraging reminders of why the brotherhood of the church is so important. We can’t walk the Christian walk on our own. We were never created to. So take advantage of the help, love,
and support you have from your brothers and sisters in Christ and continue to press on in godly community, just as the Lord intended for you to do.