“Watch out!” Paul warns, at this point, “as blessed and privileged as you are, don’t think you can go it alone.”

“Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Yes, you have been rescued from death. Yes, you are God’s dearly loved son or daughter. Yes, you are a new person inside…equipped with power to live a new, different life…but…

…never forget that you cannot live this life alone. You are part of a community that functions together as a unit. Each person is part of a bigger picture. Each person stands side-by-side with every other believer to represent Jesus to the world. Like a mosaic, each tiny fragment is essential to the whole. 

Humility means that we recognise our incompleteness on our own. We need each other.  We are only complete as we stand together…humbly contributing to one another on the same level, building each other up, moving together in life to reach spiritual maturity. 

How do we do this?

By doing life together under God’s appointed leaders. 

“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭11-13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In His wisdom, God has shown us the way to be a picture of Jesus to the world. By serving one another through our gifts, each community of believers reveals a fragment of the real Jesus that shows the world who He is…the God who loves and reaches the lowest and most broken of people. 

Every gift, every act of service, every sacrifice for one another, everything done for others from a heart of love for Jesus is a powerful witness to His presence in His children. 

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

By lovingly serving one another, we do it for Him.  It’s this loving, caring ministry to one another that sets us apart from every man-made religion. Jesus calls us to give…give…give! He gave all for us. We can no less. 

“…Give as freely as you have received!”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus and His people are so intimately connected…so joined together as one…that we serve Him by serving one another. What we do for each other, we do for Jesus. 

“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭37‬-‭40‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative (in the name) of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬

What a motive to live by! 

Jesus Himself taught His disciples that loving one another is one of the most powerful ways of showing the world our connection with Him as His disciples. 

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.””

‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭34‬-‭35‬ ‭NLT‬‬

To be continued