A Community that is Committed to Enhancing God's Reputation...

This week, we have been looking at a section of a letter in the Bible called the book of Romans that provides for us the timeless practice that followers of Jesus are to practice a lifestyle that is committed to community. Yesterday we discovered that followers of Jesus are committed to community that is committed to connecting with one another. As followers of Jesus, God calls us to be a part of a community of believers that is committed to welcoming others warmly and inviting them to be a part of community.

In addition, we discovered that followers of Jesus are committed to community that is committed to steering clear of division and temptation. As followers of Jesus, God calls us to to steer clear of and avoid those who attempt to bring division and temptation into the church through gossip, slander, or flattering words that are well chosen, but at the end of the day are untrue. Paul then concludes by revealing a fifth way that followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle that demonstrates that they are committed to community, beginning in Romans 16:21:

Timothy my fellow worker greets you, and so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord. Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus, the brother. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.

Paul concludes his letter to the members of this first century church by praying that God would cultivate an inward commitment to the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel that would result in God, through Jesus Christ, receiving glory forever. And here we see Paul reveal for us the reality that Followers of Jesus are committed to community that is committed to enhancing God’s reputation. Paul wanted the members of the church at Rome, and followers of Jesus throughout history to understand that the church is the vehicle that God uses to advance His kingdom mission and enhance His reputation here on earth.

And God’s kingdom mission is advanced and God’s reputation is advanced most clearly when followers of Jesus practice a lifestyle that is committed to community. A lifestyle that is committed to serving one another. A lifestyle that is committed to praying for one another. A lifestyle that is committed to connecting with one another. A lifestyle that is committed to steering clear of division and temptation. A lifestyle that is committed to enhancing God’s reputation.

So how are you doing? Where are you doing well? Where do you need to do better in order to practice a lifestyle that is committed to community?