Not of This Worldনমুনা

Day 10: Called to Build the Church

“No man is an island,

Entire of itself,

Every man is a piece of the continent,

A part of the main.

……

Any man’s death diminishes me,

Because I am involved in mankind.

And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;

It tolls for thee.”

The above extract is part of a famous sermon by John Donne, the Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral. The idiom ‘no man is an island,’ has since become one of the most iconic phrases in the annals of English literature, resonating deeply with readers across generations.

In Donne’s time, the tolling of church bells was a common way to announce deaths in the community. Thus, when he writes that when the bells tolls for someone’s death, it tolls for everyone, it symbolizes the profound unity and shared destiny among all people. This is a reminder of the deep interconnectedness of human beings and highlights the significant impact that each life and death have on the broader community.

Donne’s message beautifully echoes the teachings of today’s passage, which hold significant implications for community and collective responsibility in the Christian faith. This passage reminds us to be vigilant (verse 7), to love each other deeply and extend hospitality without grumbling (verses 8-9), and to utilize our gifts in service to others (verse 10). Peter’s motivation for sharing these instructions to the church was the knowledge that “the end of all things is near”.

When we have an expectation that Jesus is coming back again, it should cause us to pay attention to how we live and interact with those around us. Instead of merely looking out for ourselves and being a one-man island on our own, we are called to be “stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (verse 10). In other words, when we utilize our God-given gifts to serve others, we are channels of God’s grace to our brothers and sisters in Christ. As we do so, Peter also reminds us that we should rely on God’s strength, so that credit goes ultimately to God, not ourselves (verse 11b).

This message of interconnectedness is especially poignant in today’s world, where technological advancements have brought us closer, yet made us feel more isolated than before. However, we must remember that remaining in Christ is not an individualistic endeavor. In times where we feel downtrodden and dejected, we need the encouragement and prayers of our spiritual family. In times where we experience victories, we can in turn, lend our support and strength to others around us.

Prayer points:

• Are there times where you prefer to deal with your own struggles and shy away from reaching out to your spiritual community for support? Why? Pray that God will enable you to share your life openly to those around you and remove any obstacles you experience in doing so. Ask God to help you experience His grace through receiving help from those around you.
• How can you be a “faithful steward of God’s grace” to your spiritual community? Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes and heart to see how you can serve the brothers and sisters around you.

Listen:

Build Your Church – Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music