The Importance of Gospel CommunitySample

The first mention of community in the Bible occurs early on in Genesis 2:18 when the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” So God made many animals and took them to Adam for them to each be named, “but for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him” (Genesis 2:20). So God took a rib from Adam while he slept to create a suitable helper, Eve.

God knows the importance of community because He Himself doesn’t exist alone. As hard as it is for us to wrap our heads around it, God exists as part of the Trinity; three distinct persons--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--while also simultaneously existing as a single being.

Because we are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) and because He functions in community in the Trinity, He designed us to be in community, too.

Maybe you’re reading this and you’re thinking, “But God made me to be an introvert, and I just don’t do ‘peoply’ things very well.” As a fellow introvert who is also a homebody, I get you. But we don’t get an introvert pass just because we prefer to be alone. We are called and created to be in community.

This is how Solomon explains the importance of togetherness in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12:

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

If, like me, you’re an introvert who enjoys alone time, I want to encourage you today to get comfortable being uncomfortable and prioritize the relationships in your life. If our desire is to grow and change to be more like Christ (because isn’t that the whole point anyway?) and Christ prioritized people, then shouldn’t we prioritize the relationships in our lives too?

Dear God, thank You for always leading us by example. For those of us who struggle being social in community, please help us step outside our comfort zones to become a cord of three strands. Use us to show Your love to those around us. Use us to create meaningful relationships that point others to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.