Relationship and Community

Relationship is defined as the way people talk to, behave toward and deal with each other – how two or more people, groups, countries, etc., interact with each other. Generally, people who are in a relationship usually treat each other very well by showing love and respect for each other. They generally will have each other’s best interest at heart and want to see each other do well and succeed. They are usually honest and forthcoming with each other, confide in each other, share personal information as well as intimate moments with each other (not necessarily physical).

Community is defined as a group of people who live in the same area (such as a city, town, or neighborhood) and have the same interests, religion, race, etc. People who belong to a community look after the community as well as the people in the community. They usually regard the members of their community as family and treat them as such. They do favors for each other, run errands for one another, and look after one another’s homes (neighborhood watch). They pet sit for each other, know each other’s family members, daily schedules, and routines.

God created us to live in relationship and community with Him and with each other; therefore, we should treat each other as a family unit living in one big community – loving, looking after, and helping one another in every possible way as best we can. If we lived together in this way, I believe, we would have a higher sense of urgency to evangelize to each other. I think everyone wants their loved ones to give their lives to Christ and be saved. I know I do. We all want to see our loved ones enter into the kingdom of heaven just as Jesus does which is why He came so that we all might be saved (John 3:16-17). God says in His Word He doesn’t want any of us to perish. Therefore, we are to have that same attitude when we are evangelizing to the world - believers and unbelievers alike. If we treated everyone with the same love and compassion as we do our families and communities I believe this would have a positive impact on the way we live out our faith outside of the church, with people at work, our neighbors, and our friends. "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" 2 Corinthians 6:14

We are Christians 24/7 not just when we’re in church. True Christianity and discipleship begins when church is over – as soon as we walk out the doors. Hopefully, this would enable people to be honest with themselves, with others, and most importantly with God. We are supposed to live according to the Word of God by applying the principles and guidelines set forth in the Bible to our daily lives. As they say in the world, “don’t talk about it be about it.” This should also encourage us and empower us as we evangelize to others and therefore, strengthening the body of Christ. I believe this would aid us in becoming effective personal evangelists and inspire us to “live a consistent testimony through a changed life.”

Sincerely,