Humanists don’t have it all wrong. Though marred by sin, made in the image of God, we have some capacity for love. Unfortunately, we also have the ability to be completely self-focused ignoring a God-center that evokes care and concern for all.
We do not have the power within ourselves to love unceasingly. But God does. As Christians, we believe we are to live in community. We believe a Christ-centered community stimulates the new person God is creating inside of us. We believe community is central in understanding the Christian life.
We believe this because we find it in the nature of God. When we speak of God, we speak of a community – the Community of God – Father, Son, Spirit. Three persons, one God. Complete unity. Therefore:
Who we spend significant time with supernaturally has a role in shaping our ideas, attitudes, and behaviors. This can be good or bad. It all depends upon your community.
And this is another reason for community. None of our friends have the capacity to be everything we need them to be. However, that need is met in a community of friends. We need to embrace the idea “I need friends” and experience what each contributes to my life; while disciplining self to not allow their weaknesses to cause me to adopt a “solo” approach to life.
I can already hear you: “I’m always giving but I rarely receive anything in return.” Do you know why? It’s because you give so that you might receive. You need to give for giving sake. You need to receive for receiving sake. The problem is that you are looking to receive from the same people you have given. Sometimes this happens but most of the time it doesn’t. Why? Because you have your back to the people who are looking to give to you because you are still (consciously or subconsciously) expecting payback from the person you have given. Giving is giving and receiving is receiving. They are transforming ideas. They are not a transaction.
Something to think about…
