(July 12, 2009)

A sense of community is a sense of spirituality. Howver, many have a drive-thru sense of spirituality. There is no relationship. If you are reaching people, then you are successful in the Eyes of God. But, if you have a McDonald's model, the odds are not in your favor. How many relationships are built standing in line at McDonald's? Church should be more like Cheers: A place where everybody knows your name. A place where you have a relationship with others and, most importantly, a relationship with God. We need to have relationships both horizontally and vertically, which, in turn, forms a cross.

In Romans, there is a set standard of how to live. We need to build a true sense of community in our body. So, what holds us back?

Comparison. Comparison brings competition and competition brings criticism. When you compare, you look at others in the wrong way. Eventually, you will work to manipulate and conform others. It becomes unhealthy spiritually. Comparison always focuses on the externals: money, career, house, toys, etc. It never deals with the heart. Comparison got us in this mess in the first place; look at Adam & Eve! So many miss out of the good things that God has in store for themselves because they are so busy focusing on others and their perceived faults.

Controlling Spirit. We have a bent when we are born to control things. No one wants to be out of control. It's our nature. When we are out of control, we want to control others even more! We want everyone to conform to our style. Churches need to meet the needs of their community. If a church comes to town and wants to throw around their weight, they won't be successful and bring people to God. Understand that God love diversity. He doesn't expect everyone to conform to a certain mold. Many churches tell others about the legality of what is appropriate in front of the Lord. However, He disapproves with that judging by churches here in America. The fact is that when we get to Heaven, we will be shocked with who is there and shocked by who is not there. There are even times when we try to conform God. We are all insecure at some level. When we are at our most insecure, our most vulnerable, we have a tendency to resist by working to control everything and everyone around us, hurting ourselves even further. If you want to live as a community and live with God, accept others, live in diversity and allow others to develop their own convictions. There are black-and-white scenarios, such as the Ten Commandments, but for others, there are gray areas.

Resign Your Position. The position to resign is that of judge. We are never totally objective, we have blind spots and we are not perfect ourselves. Why do we hold others to a higher standard?

Don't Flaunt Your Liberty. Flaunting your liberty is just as much a sin as if you are being judgemental.

Focus on the things that bring the Body of Christ together. What's important is that we know what's important to God!

- Jon Bruney