Gospel Community...

Oh, how important Gospel community is! It reveals flaws and brokenness. It encourages and loves deeply. And through all of that, because of the Lord's mercy, we can move closer to Him.

"The Lord said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone...'"-Genesis 2:18

Gospel community is good. Without it we think we are doing just fine, but there is no one there to tell you otherwise; there is no one there to encourage you. Iron cannot be sharpened on it's own. We need a community where truth is spoken into our lives over and over again.

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching."- Hebrews 10:24-25

We cannot neglect meeting with one another. We need to be with people who want to encourage us and help us grow in Christ, who will rebuke us lovingly and show us grace; and through everything, point us to the Cross.

Gospel community is not surface level; it's much deeper than, "Hello. How are you?" It actually means those words. They know your strengths, your weaknesses, your struggles and your messiness; and they love you through it all. Christ's tangible love is at work through the hearts of those who genuinely care for us.

After grasping this, I had to take a look at how I play a part in it all; and I wonder, "How often do I say 'How are you?' and truly want a response that is more than 'I'm good.'?"

Surely there are not very many things more important than caring for a brother or sister in Christ. "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."- Galatians 6:10

I have become lazy in doing this and I am sorry. I think I have too much going on that I can't stop and really know how you are doing. I want to be intentional. I want to be intentional so that iron may sharpen iron and you may be encouraged in your walk; that we can genuinely know why we 'rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.' I want to be intentional so that we can continue to point each other to the grace and mercy, that is the Cross.

He is good and takes delight in us!