Our Spiritual Community - Does it Witness

By Rod Matthews

Would you like to confront and convert the spiritually jaded, the disillusioned, the sceptic and the atheist? Well, issue them an invitation. After all: “This is how everyone will recognise that you are my disciples – when they see the love you have for each other” (John 13:35, The message)

Really? What if a random group of our neighbours read this and came to prove it – to investigate how we interact together as committed Christians? If all they could see were “natural” common levels of affection, involvement, co-operation, service and care – what is seen generally around us in society,  they would certainly remain as they came. The issue is not whether we want to be part of a spiritual community, but how we live within it once God has placed us in it.

Ideally, what should our visitors openly observe? A community of people who are:

• Welcoming (Luke 5: 32)
• Filled with love for one another (1 Corinthians 10:24)
• Thinking the best of each other (Philippians 4:8)
• Radiating the joys of life (Galatians 5:22)
• Hope-full (Ephesians 1:18)
• Honest (Proverbs 12:22)
• Free of gossip (Proverbs 20:19)
• Submitting to one another in deep respect (Ephesians 5:21)
• Polite (1 Corinthians 13:5)
• Forgiving (Matthew 6:12)
• Generous (Matthew 25:35, 40)
• Hospitable (1 Peter 4:9)
• Peace lovers (Romans 5:1)
• Sacrificers (Ephesians 5:1,2)

In other words, an embracing, magnetically attractive community not found in society in general. If our visitors stayed, they would learn more. These people:

• Love their enemies, not just their friends (Matthew 5:44)
• Are faithful and industrious in their calling (Colossians 3:17)
• Do good to all people, not just their own (Galatians 6:10)
• Persevere to overcome problems (Romans 8:18)
• Are patient (Galatians 5:22)
• Never forget the promises of God already fulfilled (2 Corinthians 1:3,4)
• Have a vivid vision of the promises God is yet to fulfil (Revelation 21:3,4)
• Know they area vital, chosen part of a grander spiritual entity (1 Corinthians 12:18)
• And together, give a glimpse, even if only as reflected moonshine, into the family and community (kingdom) of the Great God (1 Corinthians 12:27)

If only…? Well, it’s a tall order, but it’s happening. Our collective candlepower is growing. But not one of us can do this on behalf of another. Each of us must do his or her part through yielding to the working presence of the Holy Spirit within us. Jesus will not excuse our lack of personal contribution to THE spiritual community if we complain that our congregation had too many (other?) recalcitrants

So, “let (y)our light shine before men, that they may see (y)our good deeds and praise (y)our Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). This is spiritual community in action – and it’s an essential foundation of all successful outreach programmes.

This article first appeared in the April 2002 issue of the Australian Worldwide News, and was used with permission.