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Jesus never intended His followers to live their lives in isolation from each other. When they went spreading the word, they went two-by-two or small teams. He described their relationships as “family” and told them to look out for “your brother.” Life with Christ was always intended to be a life together.

This same emphasis is continued in the rest of the New Testament where His followers are called the household of God and urged to bear each other’s burdens. We can’t do it by ourselves because we were never intended to do it by ourselves.

In the New Testament, there are over 60 passages that speak of blessings and responsibilities with “one another” or “each other.”  Here are three:

1. John 15:17 — “This I command you, that you love one another.”
2. Romans 14:19 — “So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.”
3. Philippians 2:3 — “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves…”

As a Christian, you are not intended to “go solo” or “be an island.”  Jesus calls us to belong and to love, to build up and to regard each other with importance. So “join yourself to a band of disciples” like Paul did (Acts 9:26) and experience the real “one another” of fellowship in the Savior. Your life in Christ did begin with Him. Yet, because He commands it to be, your life in Christ is only made full when you are in fellowship with other Christians.

Today, make your Life in Christ a life together.

If you would be interested in a Bible Correspondence Course, email us your name and address at woodlandschurchofchrist@gmail.com and we will mail it to you at no charge. 

One reason people say no to Jesus is because they focus on what they have to give up, rather than on what they will gain. So what will Jesus bring? Here are a few to consider.

So why would anyone say no to hope? This hope “does not disappoint” Paul says (Romans 5:5). It’s based on what God guaranteed the world when His Son died, buried and was raised. The certainty of life beyond the grave verified by the message of the Spirit.

Why would we not want joy? “Exultation in the hope of the glory of God”, Paul says in verse 2, is what we have now – a great joy found in the fellowship of other Christians (Philippians 2:2) and real fellowship with God (1John 1:3).

Why would we not want peace? “Therefore having been justified by faith we have peace with God” (Romans 5:1). Our will yielded to His Amazing Grace and His righteous purpose will bring our lives the fullest blessing and contentment.

Peace. You can have it. Joy. It can be yours. Hope, so certain, is within reach. So this is what we can have because of Jesus. What could there ever be worth keeping to lose all of what Jesus gives?

“Come to Me all you who are weary and heavy laden,” Jesus said, “and I will give you rest.” There is so much more that He will give us than of whatever we think we would ever need from the given up things. He will, be worth it all.

Some days we need a lift. Our hearts heavy and our vision confused.

On those days, we need to lift up our eyes, our heads and voices to what we lift our hearts. In fact, the Bible commands that we do that. Too many downcast disciples are downcast with their eyes down; too many conquered Christians droop their heads; too many silent saints hold their praise and their proclamations. We need a great uplifting!

So when you need a lift, “Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

Raise your eyes, lift your head and open your voice in praise to Jesus and soon you will find your heart lifted.

BIBLETALK, power for your weekday.