Interconnected: RelationshipsSample

Living in Community

Now wait! Before you shelve this devo as one that only applies to someone who is married, just give me a couple of minutes to explain. Yes, this is the go-to verse for every preacher at all the Christian weddings you’ve ever attended, but if you dig deeper, there is a fuller meaning that captures the essence of God. To find it, we must re-examine a verse that is found in the previous chapter: “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness . . .’”— Genesis 1:26 (NIV)

Who is God talking to when He makes this proclamation, “Let us”? The angels? No. The animals? Of course not. Then who? In the very first conversation we see in Scripture, God is talking to the other two members of the Trinity. This may come as a surprise to you, but God was the first community group. So, if we were made in the image of God, then we were made to live in loving, life-giving community, or as someone once said, “We were created for community by community.”

Now we can return to our starting verse and ask the question, “Why is it not good for man to be alone?” Because a solitary human being cannot properly reflect our God who exists in community. This is why in our effort to make disciples, we are so passionate about connecting people to people.

Now let’s take a survey of your relationships. How does your marriage display the glory of God to your children? What do your relationships with your single brothers and sisters say about the God that you serve? In other words, are all your various Christian relationships painting an attractive picture of our God?

Married or single, young or old, this verse still applies to you. Regardless of how much you study your Bible, pray, or share your faith, if you are always doing it alone, there is something missing from your Christian experience. Jesus was always sending his disciples out two-by-two. Who are you partnering with to display His image?
DIG: How would you define Christ–centered community??
DISCOVER: Who are your partnering with to reflect God’s image in your life?
DISPLAY: Take time today to encourage or pray for another believer in your life.