One of the challenges that we face in our faith, especially those of us who live in North America, is the balance in our individuality when it comes to our faith and the role of the community of fellow believers. This presents yet another tension when we think about matters of faith.
In 1 Corinthians 13:12-27, Paul writes about the community of Christians, speaking of it as the body of Christ. He writes about how each person is an individual member of it, and yet, those members do not exist apart from one another. This presents a tension that we live with, and in truth, that has existed in God's people throughout their existence.
In North America, this presents a very interesting challenge when we think about faith matters. We are taught from a very young age that our country is about personal freedom, personal choice, and that you, as an individual, can accomplish anything. We even have a large number of sayings that describe how we should go it alone. "If you want the job done right, do it yourself." This one, and other expressions, become very ingrained, and eventually begin to creep into what we think and believe about God and His community.
That's where some of the things we read in the Bible present some real confusion for us. We hear of people selling their property and holding everything in a common trust, and we wonder how that would be. Jesus says that we are to serve others and put their needs equal to, or even, in some cases, above our own, and that goes against what we have been taught and know. And so we struggle with our individuality and our communal nature in being Christians.
Perhaps you find yourself struggling with this particular aspect of your faith life. There may be those in your faith community that you really don't get along with or agree with, and you find it easier to practice your faith without the community. Or you may disagree with the organized nature that develops anytime more than a few people come together in community, so you decide to practice your faith without the community. Biblically, this is unnatural, and does go contrary to what God desires of His people, and yet, we cannot deny the individual aspect of our faith. You personally must believe. You do not receive God's grace simply because you are part of the group, but through faith.
How do you find yourself leaning in this regard? What tensions have you encountered in your individual faith and in practicing your faith with your fellow Christians?
This past week we were discussing this subject. While the corporate faith of the church body doesn't individually save, there is something powerful to the confession that the Gospel is 'our' Gospel. We confess it together, shoulder to shoulder... with our brothers and sisters. Great Post Scott!
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