Being Concerned

Healthy caring relationships in the body of Christ may be defined as fellowship that experiences goodness on one hand and the absence of evil on the other. A commitment to caring and loving relationships requires a proactive, mutual, unconditional, gracious, and merciful thrust that is intended to connect one another beyond our differences. Living in the here and now poses a challenge to this premise because divisive factors present impediments to such harmony.

The first two characteristics of the early church were that "they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship" (Acts 2:42). Many of our churches today are strong on teaching but weak on fellowship. Good teaching is not a substitute for fellowship.

In Galatians 5:16-26 Paul contrasts those qualities of character that result in bad relationships with those that form good relationships. "The acts of the sinful nature" include "hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy", whereas "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." As Stephen Covey says in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People with regard to running a business, or marriage, or family:

“No amount of technical administrative skill in labouring for the masses can make up for lack of nobility of personal character in developing relationships.”

What the New Testament means by the Church is not an institution which owns property, performs rites and organises meetings, or even one that plans strategies to evangelise unreached people. Rather, it is a group of ordinary people who, because they are experiencing the immense grace of a compassionate God, are learning how to overcome hostility between people, forgive and trust one another, share what they have and encourage one another in wholesome and joyous relationships.

Being part of a family is wonderful. And it has its share of challenges and problems. So we all need to do our part to make the family become better. Treat each other with respect and being gentle and considerate go a long way in building a strong family. We need to do our best to provide for our own families and also to assist who are in need.

What is needed, then, is for organised Christianity to be seen as a cause. Only a cause that is obviously unselfish, outgoing, compassionate, flexible and travelling light in terms of structures, can be a credible source for the message that God is, God loves, God came and God forgives.

Each of us need to practice the truth we have been entrusted with. Information must lead to application that produces transformation. Not only will this result in godly living, it will help others to be receptive to the gospel as they see us practice what we preach.