Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-25 NLT
Jesus followers are the people of hope. Christian hope is not simply wishful thinking. It is the confident expectation and unyielding conviction that God will fulfill His promises. We believe that God can be trusted because God’s character is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We believe because Jesus Christ’s prophesied resurrection is a historical reality. We know that life has many storms and struggles, but we find that our hope is “an anchor for the soul” (Hebrews 9:16) to keep us steady, strong, and persevering.
The target of this message is “us.” It is mutual. Holding on to hope is an all skate. It’s for everyone. Holding on to hope is easier when we do it together. Faithfulness is easier together. Remembering God’s promises is more likely in community. Christian community provides guardrails on the road of life to keep us on track on the journey.
These relationships promote hope because we need each other to motivate us to growth and good deeds. The genius of groups like Weight-Watchers and Alcoholics Anonymous comes from this very principle. It’s easy to “fall off the wagon,” “drop the ball,” or any other way you describe falling short of the transformation God has designed for us. Good community is shared life – learning, forgiving, sharing, struggling, encouraging, celebrating, living, and loving like Jesus. In community we go far beyond believing in Jesus – we become increasingly like Him.
People of hope consistently live in community because they understand that commitment is required. Commitment will involve inconvenience. Growing relationships don’t slide easily into our busy schedules. Any relational commitment of worth will cost us something. Marriage requires sacrifices for the good of our partners. Parenting requires sacrifice to succeed with our children. We more easily understand it in those settings because they involve vows and widely understood, time-honored expectations. But in Christian community, God’s best idea for our growth, transformation, and impact on the world He loves, commitment is just as essential. It’s essential to keep you from the isolation that makes you easy prey to your Enemy. Being regularly present and engaged with community encourages and strengthens. Commitment to community is the very resource for the inevitable dry days. And it’s the place for you to be for others. You never know who really needs you to show up for them. Never underestimate the value of presence. For sure, don’t neglect it.
- God uses people in committed groups to prove His character and faithfulness. How are you currently committed to community?