In the beginning when God created Eve to be a helper to Adam. He created unity on earth for the first time. Luckily for Adam, God didn’t leave him alone to provide for himself. He knew that providing Adam with a partner would be beneficial, therefore doesn’t He want the same for us? Of course, he wants community for us as well! Joining together as the body of Christ, we can do significantly more - for others, for each other, and for our Father in Heaven.
To Serve
We are all the same, in the sense that we are all a part of the body of Christ, yet we have many differences. Differences that don’t hinder the ministry, but instead by joining them together, they help the ministry flourish! Ephesians 4:11-13 says, “And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.” Unity within the church is essential. We each have gifts to give; not gifts that are less than, but gifts that are needed.
To Love
As we provide our time, skills, and willing hearts to serving for the ministry, we must not forget to serve each other. We are called to treat our brothers and sisters in Christ just as Christ treats each of us. “Bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity (Colossians 3:13-14).” Our relationships within the church are significant. Just like how unity creates a flourishing ministry, we also need unity to support us in flourishing as individuals. “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony (Psalm 133:1)!”
To Glorify God
God calls us to come together ultimately for His glorification. “No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and his love is made complete in us (1 John 4:12).” We are able to shine the light of Jesus to each other and to others, as we draw in the Spirit even more as a community. “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them (Matthew 18:20).” How exciting is that? Let us gather, gather, and gather some more.
It can be easy for us to rely on ourselves to meander through the ups and downs of life, but walking this path is typically a more difficult one to travel. Why do it alone? God knows what is best for us. He asks us to put aside our differences, to love and bring together our differences, for the better! Jesus said in 1 Corinthians 12:19-20, “If they [body parts] were all the same part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.” We need each other and our different ways to unify - for the ministry, for each other, and most importantly, for God.