I remember being told often when I was young, do to others what you want them to do to you! I never realized it was a bible verse…and always just thought it was the way for adults to strong arm kids into being nice to each other!
Later in life, I came to realize the Golden Rule is ALL OVER in the bible! Jesus taught it, for lack of a better word, incessantly!! He lived it, breathed it, taught it, and walked in it! If you are still a doubter that it actually is in the bible, OR, you’ve never heard what the “golden rule” is, Matthew 7:12 lets us know “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” So not only did Jesus teach it, but the prophets of old did as well!
What I’ve also come to learn in life is that living this verse is OFTEN harder than one would think. AND living this verse within the walls of Church Community is difficult as well. The place where you think everyone should get along is often full of conflict and division…in fact many people claim they don’t go to church because they don’t want to be involved in all the “drama”.
How do we live LOVING others the way Jesus did AND shine positive community to other people so they are attracted to Jesus and not driven away?
Well, this past weekend we talked about living in fellowship NOT JUST community! It is quite often a misunderstood concept. Many of us think we are living in community by attending church on the weekend….but God actually calls us to something much more connected than that…in fact the Greek word Koinonia defines it more like doing life together! When I think of doing life, I think of laughing around a dinner table, taking the boys fishing, asking difficult questions and seeking answers together, crying with someone over a death in the family, and on and on the list could go.
True FELLOWSHIP with others takes vulnerability, commitment, sacrifice, and LOVE! Honestly, it takes swallowing our pride at times and living in humility! If you have a few minutes and want to catch the talk from this past weekend check it out here. AND seek out a community to dive deep in, sharing FELLOWSHIP (deep connection) with the people there!