Church Bonding Sessions?
0 comments | Posted by Steven Layson on 12 Nov 2006 in From Steve's Study ::
It’s very trendy nowadays for workplaces, football teams and even just old school friends to have “bonding sessions”. The aim of these sessions, so it seems, is not just to drink too much (though for some reason alcohol is usually involved), but for the group to develop bonds of support or teamwork that will see them through the tasks they are about to face. Such shows of “unity” are commonplace.
Often when viewed from the outside however, the church can seem anything but unified. It sometimes appears to be completely divided, with factional groups at war, denominations failing to work together, & even individual Christians at each others’ throats.
Yet what an incredible contrast this is to the way we are meant to be. Paul in his letter to the church in Ephesus, encourages us to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3). In other words, we are already unified, so we should make sure we work at keeping hold of those bonds. We don’t need “bonding sessions” to create this unity, it is already there.
What is it that brings this unity in the first place? It is of course, the blood of Jesus, which was shed for us, & the presence of his Holy Spirit with us. We all hold to the same hope, the same faith & the same Lord. God has given his Spirit to all believers, which brings an instantaneous unity. You can get glimpses of this when you travel throughout the world. No matter which continent you go to, you can find believers with the same hope, faith and Lord, with whom an instant bond is confirmed.
But what about here and now? Well Paul’s advice is as simple as it is profound: “be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Eph 4:2), and elsewhere “your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Phil 2:5). Because we’re human, we will often hurt each other and act selfishly, but when that happens, we should be quick to forgive and to give people another chance – just as Jesus did.
We’re very lucky to be able to experience this unity each week as we gather together here at St Peters, but if we are to hold onto this unity, we must continue to hold onto the example of our Lord Jesus, and live together in love, patience and forgiveness.
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