Many people think that their spiritual beliefs and the way they live out the Christian life is a private matter that no one else has a right to speak into.
I’ve heard people say things such as, “I go to church, but in regard to how I run my business, the church has no right to say anything.” I’ve also heard, “Well, what he does in his private time is between him and God. That’s not a matter for the church.”
Completely false. Church is a family. And what you do matters to your family. Being a Christian gives you a new name and a new Father. And your actions either glorify His Name or dishonor Him. And the Church family that you have committed to has a responsibility to hold you accountable to glorify His Name. When you join a church family, you are indicating to them that you are willing to be held accountable for your behavior.
I’ve been encouraging you to be in a Discipleship Group. And maybe you were even thinking: “But isn’t my faith a private matter?” And as I just said – Actually it is not.
But don’t take my word for it. Instead, take God’s Word. The Bible gives us many verses about how the Christian life is life lived for Christ together. Look at the list that Robbie Gallaty points out:
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• Love one another. (John 13:34)
• Be in agreement with one another. (Rom.12:16)
• Accept one another. (Rom. 15:7)
• Instruct one another. (Rom. 15:14)
• Greet one another. (Rom. 16:16)
• Serve one another. (Gal. 5:13)
• Be kind and compassionate to one another. (Eph. 4:32)
• Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Eph. 5:21)
• Admonish one another with all wisdom. (Col. 3:16)
• Encourage one another and build each other up. (1 Thess. 5:11)
• Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another. (James 5:16)
• Be hospitable to one another. (1 Pet. 4-:9)
Gallaty explains:
While some of this can be practiced on a Sunday morning, in reality, a D-Group is an ideal setting for living out many of these commands. For example, consider confessing your sins. Larger contexts such as Sunday school or small groups aren’t well-suited for this. But it’s something we need to do regularly, since sin festers and grows in isolation. A d-Group is significantly less threatening for addressing sins, and believers may be more apt to open up about present struggles in this context.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer emphasizes the dangers of isolation: “Sin demands to have a man by himself. It withdraws him from the community. The more isolated a person is, the more destructive the power of sin over him.” This is why participation in a group is essential.
The concept of a “passive participant” doesn’t make sense either. Everyone comes prepared to contribute. Through community with like-minded brothers and sisters in a discipleship setting modeled by the Master, spiritual growth is made possible, but only insofar as it is based on the firm foundation of God’s Word.
Your Christian faith and your Christian growth and your Christian life is not a private matter. Your Christian life is about being together with others who will help you walk the narrow road well.
Get in a group!
Get growing!
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