Articles
What the Family of God Looks Like
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Paul taught that the manifold wisdom of God is made known through the church (Eph. 3.10-11). One aspect of God's wisdom is ultimately seen in the detailed working of the church. When each member is doing his or her part - elders overseeing, deacons serving, etc. - God's wisdom is evident. While the members accomplish much of their work for the Lord individually, we find one striking fact: the main emphasis is placed on doing things together. In fact, the Bible stresses the togetherness of His people all throughout the New Testament.
God has always desired His people to be together. While God has given us the platform by which we can maintain unity (Eph. 4.1-6, etc.), one such way is by following the example of the Scriptures.
This writer encourages all readers to spend some time in prayer and reading the plethora of Scriptures about the togetherness of the saints.
The saints gathered together to study the apostle's teachings, fellowship, partake of the Lord's Supper, and pray together (Acts 2.42; 4.31; 11.26; 12.5, 12; 13.1-3; 14.23; 20.7; 1 Cor. 11.17-34; 14; Rom. 15.30). They also sang together (Eph. 5.19; cf. Col. 3.16). They also assembled together to hear the gospel, be edified, encourage one another, and hear reports about the spread of the gospel (Acts 14.27; Heb. 10.24-25). Further they assembled to discipline unruly members (1 Cor. 5). When opposition to the truth arose, they assembled to settle the dispute (Acts 15). Not only did the saints worship together but they also ate their meals from house to house together (Acts 2.46). Besides eating, we observe that they also fasted together (Acts 13.2-3; 14.23). Sharing their possessions with needy saints, they were together and had all things in common (Acts 2.44; 4.32-35; 1 Cor. 16.1-2; 2 Cor. 8; 9). This included care for widows among them and for churches in need (Acts 6.1-6; 11.27-30; 1 Tim. 5.3-16). Through spiritual growth they appointed elders and deacons (Acts 14.23; 1 Tim. 3.8-13). The saints experienced persecution together (Acts 8.1-3). No wonder they could weep or suffer and rejoice together (Rom. 12.15; 1 Cor. 12.26). They evangelized together (Acts 8.4; 11.24, 26; 19.9). They sent out and received preachers (Acts 11.22; 13.2-3; 15.2-3; 21.17; Phil 4.14-18). Together they glorified God with one voice (Rom. 15.6). They were to treat both rich and poor visitors the same (James 2.1-13). Together they were to continue in their love, repent when necessary, hate evil deeds, not fear the coming persecution, remain faithful unto death, repent for tolerating false teachers, listen to the Holy Spirit, hold fast, wake up from the dead, endure patiently, be zealous, etc. (Rev. 2.4-6, 10, 16-17, 25; 3.10, etc.).
Why did the New Testament writers place so much emphasis on being and working together? It is because we are a family! The Bible says that we are members of the household of God (Eph. 2.19; Gal. 6.10; 1 Tim. 3.15; Heb. 3.6). Together, we make up the children of God (1 John 3.1; 2 Cor. 6.18; Matt. 12.46-50) and we are heirs with Jesus (Rom. 8.17). This is important because families do everything together!
Let us be honest, brethren. Do we view ourselves as a family? Do we resemble the early church as the passages above show? Do we really do things together?
Why is it that we seem to be content with being alone? This writer believes it ultimately has to do with earthly distractions. We are distracted with all kinds of things. Namely we spend too much of our time with perishable and useless things. These things just waste our time instead of helping us to make the best use of our time (Eph. 5.16). Instead of spending time with one another, we are at home on our cell phones, watching the television, glued to the computer screen, focused on self or just our immediate family, etc. Notice that these things may not be wrong in and of themselves, but they distract us from being with Christians far too often. Maybe we ought to ask, “Do we find comfort in our favorite T.V. shows or in spending time with one another?”
We have closed our homes and cut the outside world off. In doing so we cut off our own brethren as well as opportunities to evangelize in the community and our next-door neighbors. Turn these devices off and go encourage your brothers and sisters. The Hebrew writer said, "...exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin" (Heb. 3.13 ESV). Let us be honest, brethren. Who really follows this command? Reread the verse. Examine yourself (2 Cor. 13.5).
When was the last time you invited brethren into your home to encourage them to remain faithful or stayed after church to spend time with your brethren or visited the sick and elderly to bring them joy and comfort? If we have not been doing these things, do we not see a problem here?
We live in a dark world, yet some are content with only seeing their brethren three times a week. Why is that? Why is it that we want to rush to finish worship as if we are only allowed a two-hour window? Why is it that we rush out the door after the "Amen" is said? Where do we have to be that is so important? What worldly activity has called us away from simply saying "Hello" to the brethren and spending time with each other? Do we not prefer one another over the world?
It never ceases to amaze this writer when someone falls away and others say, "I don't know what happened." Really? First, did they seek help? Did they spend time with us? Second, did we do our part in encouraging them? Did we go to them? (Gal. 6.1; 1 Thess. 5.14, etc.) Statistically when brethren surround themselves with brethren throughout the week doing things together (eating together, evangelism, studying, socializing, etc.) they will not only remain faithful, they will grow spiritually strong.
Reader, if you find yourself lonely, spiritually weak, flirting with the world, etc., busy yourself with the brethren. Visit them, have them over, go door-knocking together, have a Bible study, pray, etc. Do things together that will have a lasting impact on your spiritual life and after life and not something that just drains the spirituality out of you and pushes you further away from your brethren. Do not let sin harden your heart and deceive you into falling away from God (Heb. 3.12). Simply put, when our love for the world and the things in the world supersede being together with the brethren we have lost the good fight of faith.
Do we see each other as family? Do we rely on each other throughout the week? Do we take time to encourage each other? If only brethren would understand the power of God's wisdom in being together! It not only keeps us faithful, but it saves souls through influence (John 13.34-35). The world simply cannot see the love we are commanded to have for each other within the church building walls. However, they can see the love we have for each other when they see us working and spending time together in the community.
For example, consider for a moment when you visit the sick and shut-in or have some over for dinner. Typically, every time this writer visits someone there is a non-Christian present. Whether it is a parent, child, spouse, sibling, etc., there is always someone there that needs the gospel. Why do we not consider them? Think about what would happen if forty of our members visited one of our shut-ins throughout the week? Not only would it turn their tears of sorrow and loneliness to joy, but the community and their lost family members will see the love we share with them. What if their lost family members were just so overwhelmed at the response of loving brethren that they ended up becoming a Christian? You see brethren, this is important. This is what God has called us to do. When we do not even consider doing these things, opportunities are lost.
This is one reason why so many churches of Christ are failing today in love, spiritual growth, evangelism, appointment of elders and deacons or even additional elders and deacons, etc. Churches have stopped doing things together and have been deceived into thinking the Sunday assembly alone is sufficient. When local churches begin to do things together throughout the week, they will see spiritual growth and, Lord willing, physical growth like they've never seen before. Think about it, brethren! BG
