Together. It’s the Only Way.
Written by Brenda Franklin-Strout
I’m a gatherer of folks. I love people and all things that come with doing life with humans. You’re breathing, you’re mine. You’re struggling, there is room at my table. You have the best laugh I’ve ever heard, well c’mon with it. You love Jesus and His church…Together is the only way we need to be living and I’m here for all of it. As we live in a time where division has no place amongst believers and love is required in abundance, we strengthen those muscles only by doing life together, sharing together and growing together. It’s true.
In 2 Timothy 2:1,2 it says, “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”
This second letter to Timothy, Paul was clear that Timothy must engage and develop relationship with faithful believers so the gospel would continue to be shared and taught. Paul knew his time was short on this earth and he, considering Timothy like a son, instructed him and we must do the same with those that we love, care for, and teach. Together is the only way it plays out as God intended. Paul cultivated this relationship, this discipleship, the love for Timothy. 1 Corinthians 12:12 says, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” One Body. So it is with Christ. We know through these words that this is how we are to conduct ourselves, how we are to engage with one another and the need to ensure we all understand our part of the Body and our dependence on Christ-centered relationships. We were created for relationships with God and with others. Who are you developing relationships with to teach, do life with and show the love of God? Who are you mentoring and leading in developing their own God-Story so that those in their lives will know God? Paul was adamant that Timothy understood that our place in the Body of Christ is critical but so is our role to go into all the world and make disciples. Are you walking out Paul’s words in your own life? Do you feel both the challenge and the blessing of having such relationships? It’s reciprocal and God’s intention for relationships with other believers.
This week as you consider the relationship you have with those that love Jesus, are you encouraging unity with each other both in your words and your actions? Who in your life needs a phone call, an invitation to meet, a bible study or simply words of encouragement and gratitude for how they have impacted your life and your relationship with them? Take a few minutes to reach out. To love as Christ would…to do life together. It’s the only way, Church.
