SACRIFICE FOR ONE ANOTHER’S SAKE

It seems like everybody in the church is very busy. Busy to the point that it is near impossible to check on or spur one another. We are all so diligent about how to make ends meet; business, the corporate ladder, school, sport, health and the list just goes on. Exceptionally, there is always a few who are busy about the spiritual needs of others. Those with whom it is expected (elders, deacons, and ministry leaders) even though they are busy as well. However, though we are all engrossed in the maze of life, we should still be engaged in the life of other believers if we chose to sacrifice something for their sake. Deliberately working on “how to stir up one another to love and good works,” (Heb 10:24). And by so doing fulfill Ephesians 4:3 (Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace).

Currently, I have been reading The Compelling Community by Mark Dever and Jamie Dunlop (a recent add-on to the 9Mark series). Thanks Chopo Mwanza for this timely gift. The writers demonstrate the unity in diversity that must exist in the community of the church which is a great display of the power of God at work. 

As the book title suggests, it has really compelled me to revisit my view and participation in the life of my local church community and that of other individual believers. I have been refreshed to be an encouragement in the spirit of Hebrews 12:12-13 “Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed”.

There are so many nuggets to gather from The Compelling Community which I would love to share with you but space does not allow. Nonetheless, here are four things that Jamie Dunlop has tabulated in the forth chapter. These four are so inviting to a life of sacrifice for one another’s sake in the body of Christ. The writer calls them sacrifices that help foster unity in diversity. I believe, if we Christians can be just a little more sacrificial with our busy lives much good, blessings and joy would fill the church community today.

We can sacrifice our comfort for one another’s sake:

If we are to reach out and associate with someone whom we’re not naturally drawn to we must be willing to sacrifice our comfort. For example, whenever you see two different people you might talk to after a church service, make sure that at least half the time you walk up to the one you’re less comfortable with.

We can sacrifice our preferences for one another’s sake: 

At times we destroy each other, especially the weaker, by making an issue on our preferences over others’. What kind of food we eat at the fellowship event; which songs we wish the church sang more often, our better dispositions etc. At times we even insist on How other people should conduct themselves in our likeness. Rom12:10 “Love one another with brotherly affection.” This means we focus more on other’s needs than self.

We can sacrifice our resources and our time: 

If we are to serve fellow church members in need, even when society would deem their time less valuable than ours we must still make effort to sacrifice our resources and time.  1 John 3:18 “Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” For example, what a great blessing it would be to see a busy CEO of some corporation (a member the church) spending time with a simple garden-boy (member of the same local church) who needs to hear the same advice for the third time around.

We can sacrifice our habits: 

If we are to spend time with those with whom we’d otherwise never see we need to sacrifice some habits. Habits such as a structured day week or month. Meaning, if you’re someone who always plans your schedule two months out, spontaneously go to lunch after church with someone who’s different from you. Slot into your schedule time for other believers. Deny yourself a sporting schedule and meet up with a brother on their terms.

So, the next time you are called upon to participate in the life of another believer despite of how busy you are, make every effort to be an encouragement by sacrificing something in your life for the sake of the Lord’s glory in the church family. Therefore, busy or not the church community really matters and certainly needs you and I. All we need to do is simply sacrifice for the sake of one another.