Community Part 7

Last week, to the question, "If not for me, then why community?" I proposed that we seek to live in community because it is not good for man to be alone. Not for my needs but because we all need one another. Subtle yet powerful distinction.

Here's another reason for community: God. Let me explain.

First the obvious. Matthew 18:20 reads, "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." There is an experience of God that is unique to community. Right? We can all agree on that.

Related, but less obvious is how our togetherness, our unity brings glory to God. And so with community, his exaltation is also something we're after. Paul says it this way to the Romans, "May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." Romans 15:5-7.

Again, tying it by analogy to marriage, Paul injects that interesting little bit in his great words about marriage in Ephesians. He says, "This is a profound mystery - but I am talking about Christ and the church." Wait, what?

I think what he is saying there is that the union between a man and a woman illuminates the union between Christ and the church. One is there to throw light on the other. The lesser is there to exalt the greater.

Community is for God. That we might together experience him and that we might together exalt him!