The power of community...real authentic community!

Author

Jerome Chandler
December 19, 2024

The above graphic, as positive as it sounds, in my opinion, is a very bad way to exist.

Far too many people are existing, in community, but not in authentic community.

Why Humans Were Made to Live Together

In the Bible, right from the start, we learn that God made people to be together. In the book of Genesis, God created Adam, the first man, and then said it wasn't good for him to be alone. So, God made Eve to be with Adam. This shows us that God wanted people to have friends and family. Being with others helps us feel happy and loved. Just like how animals live in groups, people are also meant to live in communities where they can help and care for each other.

Orthodox Christians believe that living in a community is important because it helps us grow closer to God. In the New Testament, Jesus teaches us to love our neighbors and to help those in need. When we live in a community, we have more chances to show kindness and share what we have. This is how we follow Jesus' teachings. In church, people come together to pray, sing, and learn about God. This makes our faith stronger and helps us feel like we are part of a big family.

Living in a community also means we can learn from each other. Everyone has different talents and ideas, and when we share them, we can solve problems and make our world a better place. Orthodox Christians believe that each person is a part of the Body of Christ, which means everyone is important and has a special role. Just like how a puzzle needs all its pieces to be complete, a community needs all its people to work together. This is why God designed us to live in communities, so we can support each other and grow together.

The New Testament epistles talks about the importance of mutual support, encouragement, and spiritual growth within the Christian community. In Hebrews 10:24-25, believers are urged to "consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds," highlighting the need for communal encouragement and regular fellowship. Similarly, 1 Thessalonians 5:11 instructs Christians to "encourage one another and build each other up," underscoring the role of positive reinforcement in spiritual development. The concept of sharpening one another is vividly illustrated in Proverbs 27:17, which, while not an epistle, is echoed in the New Testament ethos of mutual edification, as seen in passages like Ephesians 4:15-16, where believers are called to speak the truth in love and grow together as a unified body. Additionally, Galatians 6:2 encourages Christians to "carry each other's burdens," fulfilling the law of Christ through acts of compassion and support. These teachings collectively underscore the epistles' vision of a community where individuals actively contribute to each other's spiritual and moral growth, fostering an environment of love, accountability, and shared purpose.

So while it’s nice to applaud people for staying strong while suffering alone, it is not optimal. It is like living in a way God did not design us to live. It is like using a chair for a ladder. Yea, you can use it for a ladder, but that’s not what it is designed for, therefore it has limitations as a ladder.

Here are some ways to be in community:

- Participate in communal worship and liturgical services regularly, fostering a sense of unity and shared faith with fellow believers.

- Engage in acts of charity and service, supporting those in need within the community and embodying the teachings of love and compassion.

- Attend study groups or religious education classes to deepen understanding of spiritual teachings and strengthen bonds with others through shared learning.

- Celebrate religious feasts and traditions together, reinforcing cultural and spiritual connections through shared rituals and festivities.

- Practice hospitality by welcoming others into your home and life, creating a warm and inclusive environment that reflects the values of faith and fellowship.

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