Working Together For The Lord
[By B. H.]
Christians in a particular geographic area are a collective of individuals charged with working and serving individually and together for the Lord. We took on this charge by repenting of our sins, confessing that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, and being buried with him in baptism. We each have our individual work to do and as a group we have our collective work to do.
As individuals, we live our lives day to day in our homes, places of work, schools, and communities. Hopefully, day to day, we are praying, studying and mediating for our own good and also helping, encouraging and communicating with other people in our lives, especially fellow Christians. Galatians 6:10 “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” [NASB].
Being individuals means we each have unique lives, meaning we have different upbringings, are from different cultures, we rise and sleep at different times, have different jobs, have varying commitments, travel different roads and distances, have widely varied experiences, and have preferences related to almost all manner of life.
Given that reality, the question is: How do we work together for the Lord? Also, what attitude are we to have when trying to move from an individual mindset to a collective mindset? Square one is weekly worship. We come together as instructed on the first day of the week to worship our Lord. A weekly pattern extends back to when God sanctified and rested on the 7th day (Genesis 2:2-3), commanded the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11), and when Christians gathered to together to break bread (Acts 20:7). We have a weekly time to worship God together, we are commanded to remember Jesus’ death and in doing so eat and drink specific things, unleavened bread and fruit of the vine (Luke 24:14-23).
But when life gets messy beyond our weekly service, what togetherness do we find? What are our options? What are our preferences? What are our compromises? What are our responsibilities? What are our sacrifices? How do we continue working with other Christians?
One example of togetherness and attitude is in Acts 2:46-47 “Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people” [NASB]. Plenty more examples exist, but Romans 14 and 15 provide considerable insight for our benefit regarding our individual conscience and self-denial as we navigate our lives along with our fellow Christians.
Reading Romans 14:1 through 15:7 will be most beneficial, but here are some of the sentiments
- Accept each other, from the weak to the strong.
- We have options (liberty) and preferences, don’t judge others based on them and don’t use them as a stumbling block to others.
- God is the master, we stand before Him, and He will be the judge.
- We live and die, and regardless of the specifics, if you/I live it’s for God, if you/I die it’s for God, if you/I regard one day above another or regard every day the same, if thanks is given to God, it’s for God.
- The kingdom of God is not about our varied life complexities, differences, preferences, options, choices from one Christian to the next (assuming such things are not ungodly).
- The kingdom is about righteousness, peace, joy, serving Christ, building up of one another…”not tear[ing] down the work of God for the sake of food” (Romans 14:20, NASB). In other words, come together and compromise. Different people have different limitations and convictions, in conscience and life. Figure out what builds up the work of God and do that.
- “Be of the same mind with one another…that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:5-6, NASB).
Titus 2 also helps provide further insight into what our work should be, which includes both individual and collective instruction. A good tangible example is the older including the younger in teaching, so both can grow together. For Christians, the lesson should be simple: don’t judge and don’t exclude God’s work based on what works best for you (me) or what you (I) choose to do. Often, we don’t even know or understand what that work might be from one Christian to the next. Instead, be patient, accepting, flexible, compromising with each other (not the truth), peaceful, encouraging, joyful, supportive, helping and guiding others. Share in the work together for the Lord, with the right attitude, and God will be glorified.