LEARNING DAILY

Ephesians 2:4-7, But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

I had the opportunity to watch the service at NorthRock Church this past Sunday. Pastor Jonathon Moore spoke about “God’s goal for His people is to be unshakeable with all the shaking going on around us”. He continued saying, “the people of God must build on the foundation of God’s Word because doing so keeps us unshakeable”. He added to this the need to be “in community” or building relationships with other Believers to help each other remain focused on walking with God as He desires.

During his message he used the scripture from Ephesians as a reminder that “all” have sinned; “all are dead in their sins and all need Jesus”. Allow me to add this: from the words of Ephesians the difference between those unsaved and those saved is not one’s effort to be saved. No, the difference is God’s great love and mercy being in those who have accepted it and are saved because they do. Jesus Christ has made those who accept His salvation alive together with Him.

When I reread these verses this morning the pronouns, we and us jumped out at me. Pastor Moore used Ephesians 2:4-7 to explain the importance of Believers to surround themselves with the right people. He said, “Jesus brings people into our lives to bring us to Jesus in our need – to go with us; that is community”. I have thought about that statement a lot since Sunday; perhaps that is why the pronouns we and us stood out to me. All Believers need to have those people in their lives that will pray with them when needs arise. There are those situations that needed to be faced with the support and encouragement from others, that is too difficult to face alone. All of “us” need to have those who will speak into our lives and warn us that doing something or going somewhere might not be wise. All of “us” need to be able to encourage each other or help another when help is needed.

Both Pastors I listened to this weekend said almost the same thing word for word. The church is people – it is not a building! Believers need each other. It is a privilege to be asked to pray for another’s needs. I do not take it lightly when a brother tells me I need to do something for God to move in my life. But I do make sure it lines up with God’s Word. It is an honor to be able to encourage another when encouragement is needed and to help with a need when I am able.

The result of being involved in the community of Believers is to be raised up and sit together with Christ someday in heavenly places. Paul writes like it has already happened or will happen soon. He wrote with confidence that those who have truly placed their faith in Him can be confident of spending their future eternity with the Lord Jesus Christ. We must encourage one another with that hope. We must continue to pray one for another with that hope. We must continue to encourage one another with the Word of God as we walk a narrow way into eternity with Him in His eternal kingdom.