The Saints in My Pocket

Recently, it was commented to me that my church family live in one another's pockets, spend too much time together etc. etc. This troubled me a little as it just didn't sit right with me. Most of us struggle to maintain both fellowship and charity and feel we are often isolated.  We do not want to become "Sunday" Christians with a cheery facade and shallow talk on the Lord's day and a self absorbed life the rest of the week.
One of the "pitfalls" I have seen with  some families is a tendency to not only teach the children at home, but to become insular and totally home focused to the exclusion of our other relationships in life.
Don't read me wrongly here, I strongly agree that our husband, children, home come first but there is a place for our wider circle.
How would one cope in the New Testament church where they had all things in common? I think our lives have become very selfish and man centred rather than God centred. People rightly protect their privacy but to the exclusion of the needy, the lonely, the hurting, sacrificing their own growth in the meantime. Breaking the bruised reed and quenching the smoking flax.

I was visited by two dear elderly saints last week. (You might remember them from here.) They were returning from an appointment and it was quite a huge effort to climb our stairs and make that visit. Once again they reiterated the great blessing that the brethren have been to them in these difficult days of sickness , pain and inability. The folk have faithfully visited and assisted for quite a few years now. Their own many years of service to others is being repaid many fold.

The same critic told me that people these days are stubborn and hard hearted and do not receive correction. Hmmm...no doubt this is true. Our hearts are hard but I see a correlation here. Being receptive and teachable  involves relationship. A closeness to God and to people. Faithful are the wounds of a friend. One who is unwilling to enter into the unique covenant relationship which Christians in fellowship share,  cannot expect to be embraced and listened to in the same way.

Our families and lives are private. but we should be living in a way which is open to scrutiny. Again, this person, though so critical  of others, makes their own home  like a no-go zone to others ~ hiding what?
We are told to be keepers of our own homes, not to run from house to house, not to be gossips. On the other hand we are to bear one another's burdens, help the sick, the widow and the orphan, encourage the downcast. It is natural to spend time with the ones we are closest to and get along with best, but we are responsible to include the less comely ones. The body (of Christ) aches when one part is severed.
It is not only heresy and liberalism which is tearing the Body apart but apathy and a neglect of this great biblical principle ~ we are united in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
Hospitality is a requirement! Office bearer particularly are to be given to hospitality and it is a mark of the Proverbs 31 home to open ones arms to the poor and needy.

Friends, we all live shallow and sin laden lives when held up to the scrutiny of the Word. Forgive me if I sound jaded on this. I am very conscious of my own failings to love and support others, to  put God first and foremost and the work of the kingdom above what profits me. In New Testament time the people marvelled. See how they (Christians) love one another! Can this be said of us? We are to bear one another's burdens. We are to encourage and admonish one another. We are to walk along side as per Titus 2, both men and women. To show the scriptures more clearly as did Aquila and Priscilla. To lay down our lives if required!

John 13
34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.


Lord, grant me a heart to serve you and your people. To love the brethren and reach out to the needy. Forgive me also for an impatient and critical attitude and help me to be kind to those whose views differ.
Thank you, Lord, that my pockets are full! Good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over!