Scripture Reading: Romans 12 

One of the effects of sin is that it causes us to run and hide from the presence of God. Adam  and Eve did this in the Garden of Eden after they sinned against God. But it’s not just Adam  and Eve—to this day, sin still has us running and isolating from God and from his body, the  church. It’s not only a destructive tendency whenever we isolate ourselves or prioritize other  things/people over the church, but we’re also giving way to sin in our lives by separating  ourselves from community—one of God’s greatest weapons and protections against the  challenges of the Christian life. 

Many of us fail to recognize that a Christian’s growth, maturity, and sanctification is  actually meant to be a community project. We often think reading our bibles and personal  prayer are at the top of the list when it comes to how a Christian grows closer to God. But the  New Testament has much more to say about growth happening in the context of community  than in personal disciplines or piety. This is because we were never meant to walk with Christ  alone, and it’s foolish for any person to think that he or she actually can. We need the church  to affirm our faith, to challenge our faith, and perhaps most importantly, to provide strength  when our faith falters and fails. Because if the Christian life is a lifelong journey (and indeed it  is), God’s plan all along was to give you and me the gift of his church to help us along. 

Can you say honestly that you are deeply invested in a community that helps to grow  your faith and affection for Jesus? Finding yourself in a community like that doesn’t happen  overnight nor does it happen easily—but as you stay committed to God’s people through time  and through the many struggles—you’ll come to experience the power and presence of God  in your life in a way that’s impossible on your own.