Growing One Another

 The New Testament letters focus upon the collective responsibilities of the discipleship within the Christian community.  In fact the apostle Paul stated that he wanted "to present every man perfect in Christ" (Col.1:10) He wanted to grow believers until they both saw and realised who they were in Christ. This growth process is not about the acquisition of knowledge for its own sake but is about the growth of Christlike character. In fact the Bible is never meant to be merely informational; it is meant to be a relational - relational in terms of knowing the author of the book. In fact a vast knowledge of the Bible will not make up for a little knowledge of the author!

It is interesting that growth is defined in terms of relational development rather than by knowledge per se.  Chapter two of Titus defines proper doctrines in terms of healthy relationships. "...that older men be sober... that older women... be reverent...that younger men be sober minded...in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility..." In other words, the believer's witness is seen in terms of the ways believers relate to one another.  1 John 2:12-14 recognises the stages of development for the "little children", the "young men" and the "fathers". Every believer needs to both learn from others as well as instruct others. These things happen when all parties are teachable and choose to exercise humility.

Within the Body of Christ, His DNA is at work. Wherever believers gather, there will be a consciousness of His Presence because it is His life that is being witnessed. There will be a stirring of His love at work. There will be a desire to identify one with another. We will "rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep". When we lay hold of Him (because He first laid hold of us), we will also find welling up in our hearts a spontaneous love for all who do the same. Holding fast to Christ preserves us from distortions such as co dependencies, cliques and control.

Once we were like butterflies, doing our thing, unconcerned about other butterflies but the believer will become more like the bee who operates from the hive, not working for self but living for the whole.







This blog is based on message by Ross Smith The Vine Church, Springwood, Logan City, Queensland, Australia called Growing One Another on Sunday 19th June 2016. The full message can be accessed by podcast form www.thevine.org.au/teachings