We were created to be in community, the same way we were created to drink water. God invited us into the fellowship of the Trinity, and established human relationships to mirror that community:
God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” … So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26-27)
Our relationships with others are meant to be a picture of the deep, intimate relationship within the Trinity. That’s the image of God in us. But many Christians avoid those kinds of relationships. Here are a few reasons why:
1. Apathy toward sin.
We just don’t think we’re all that bad. We’re pretty content with the status quo, and we don’t feel the need for the help of other people. But according to Scripture, Satan isn’t apathetic. He’s prowling around like a lion, waiting to devour us. We’re in a war, whether we understand it or not. If we’re not fighting with some fellow soldiers by your side, we’re going to lose.
2. Indifference toward others.
We always have one more project to finish around the house, one more shift we could take at work, one more sport we could sign our kids up for. We’re too busy for deep relationships.
But there are people in the body of Christ who are hurting and suffering, and need us to love them and encourage them. There are people who are struggling with sin, and need us to love them enough to ask them tough questions. There are people in our neighborhoods who need to experience Christ’s love, and need us to introduce them to his family.
3. Fear of man.
Many people think to themselves, “If I open myself up to other people, and let them know the junk I’m dealing with, they won’t like me anymore. Maybe they’ll even use it against me.”
Guess what? You’re right/ That might happen. Because we’re all sinners just like you, and we do stupid things just like you do. But what did Jesus say in Matthew 10? … “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
In other words, “What’s the worst that other people could do to you in a community group? Kill you? That’s all? That’s nothing! Don’t fear them. Fear God. He’s the one who created you to be in community, just like he is.
Even a community full of fallen sinners like us. Because even these imperfect communities are going to be used by God in some amazing ways. Like what Paul promises God will do in the community in Ephesus:
To him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. (Ephesians 3:20-21