This past year has taught us how intentional we have to be about pursuing community with other people. And not only that, we have to be intentional on keeping the focus on the true purpose of community.
The New Testament was originally written in Greek, and the Greek word that the Bible authors use for community is “ekklesia.” This word literally means a gathering called for a purpose. In the first century, ekklesia wasn’t a religious word. It wasn’t part of the Jewish vernacular. It was a common, secular word. It was used all the time, and it’s interesting that this was the word that Jesus used for his church. The very first time we hear Jesus use this word in the Bible he makes a very important distinction –
“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church (ekklesia)” – Matthew 16:18
When Jesus said my ‘ekklesia’ he meant ‘my community.’ Jesus mobilized a gathering of people centered around him. He was the glue that stuck them together because He was their primary purpose. Jesus is the why behind the what of community. And these are three characteristics that every healthy community that strives to be centered around Jesus must have –
First, community creates a culture that is centered around Jesus. And that’s going to look very different from the pervading culture of centering your life around yourself. The world says you should do whatever makes you happy or you do you. Most of my life I lived by that philosophy, and I let myself down every single time. As an alternative, we have the example of Jesus, who lived for God and sacrificed his own life on our behalf. Following the example of Jesus, the church created a culture of loving God and truly loving one another and it changed the course of human history.
The second characteristic is that community creates an invitation. A community centered around Jesus should be the most inviting, welcoming, and radically inclusive group that you know. The bar to enter into His church should be so low, that you shouldn’t even be able to trip over it. If the purpose of Christian community is Jesus, then we should be creating an opportunity and invitation for people to come and see who He is.
The first words that Jesus spoke in the Gospel of John, when everyone was asking questions about who he was and what he was doing, were come and see.
“Jesus said, `Come and see.’” – John 1:39
It’s an invitation that’s open to everyone. Jesus came as an invitation to the world and our community should do the same. Community requires grace.
Third, community requires accountability. This is a tough one. Community requires truth. Jesus invites everyone in, but He never compromises on the cost of discipleship. Following Jesus has to be done together in community. And it’s not just recommended, it’s commanded in Scripture. Why? Because we keep each other accountable to the high bar of the holiness of God. And we can’t do it alone. The Bible teaches us that the enemy is crouching at your door, and you are the most susceptible when you are the most isolated. It is important to find community within the church body to continue growing in your knowledge of scripture, and to hold each other accountable during your faith journey. Remember, you were created to be in community.
