Called to community 2

Last week we began our latest series, revisiting one of our core values and venturing into the big question of what it means to be ‘called to community’. We talked about the challenge of church to be ‘boundary-less’ and therefore not held back or restrained from overflowing with the love, hope and grace that Jesus alone can bring. There are many things that create boundaries: fear, suspicion, discrimination and hatred, to name just a handful. These emotions really have no place in the body of Christ.

When Jesus commanded us to ‘love our neighbour’, he also instructed us to ‘love our enemy’ in the same discourse. (See Matthew 5:43-44.) Indiscriminate love breaks down barriers and brings us into the light of the Lord. We find this the first letter of John: ‘Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light.’ (1 John 2:9-10)

The link between light and love is interesting. When light is present, it is a tangible benefit, it dispels darkness and helps us to see clearly; when love is present, the likes of hatred, cynicism, and even fear, lose their grip and we begin to see with increased Christ-like vision! Loving our community might take faith, courage and sacrifice, but ultimately it’s what we are called to do by our saviour himself. This morning we will be looking at ‘going into’ so let’s make sure that, as we ‘go’, we flow with the Spirit of Christ. Let the journey continue!