It was a sweltering Sunday morning in June. Our souls and emotions were battered. There we sat in a church parking lot where we had never been. We were early and watched several people go into the small, country church unaware of our presence. What would we find behind those doors? People who were too busy to notice us or would there be at least one pair of welcoming arms? Well, we didn’t even have to wait to go in. A smiling man came right to our car! He greeted us warmly and urged us to come in. In a few minutes, he brought his wife to meet us. We were to find out that those strong hands that shook our hands would bring us firewood when Husband was incapacitated. And his wife’s gentle hands would bring us food when we were sick. We didn’t know she would invite me to help her teach the children’s Bible class. We didn’t foresee their smiling faces would also welcome us into their home many times where we got to know others in the church more deeply. We didn’t realize their caring calls would brighten our dark days. That was three years and three months ago. Now every Sunday dear Husband stands at that door and welcomes each person by name. If they’re new, he takes special care to start to get to know them. We know how precious it is to be in a faith community where people care for each other.

When Jesus was physically on the earth, crowds gathered around him everywhere he went. Some were curious, some contentious, some desperate for healing, and some thirsty for sound teaching. He was magnetic! It’s the same in our day. Jesus still draws the curious, the doubters, the desperate, and the faithful. We gather together to listen to him through the preaching and teaching of the Scriptures. Now he uses people like you and me to do what he did when he lived on earth. He provides abilities to different people so that together the needs of everyone can be met. We need more than information, we need others.

“so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. . . Always be eager to practice hospitality.” Romans 12:5-10, 13

The verse that commands genuine affection can also be translated as devoted. The Greek words are ‘loving dearly in brotherly love’. This brings our faith to the nitty gritty, daily, practical level. It’s more than coming to a service and going home. It’s commitment to each other on a deep level.

“Carry each other’s burdens (difficulties), and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. 1 Peter 4:8-11

Isn’t it interesting that the lists of what we do for each other are in the context of genuine love for each other? We aren’t commanded to do our duty. We’re commanded to do what God is enabling us to do out of love for others. We should have open hearts, open hands, and open homes.

“Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.” Hebrews 13:1-3

I know there are shut-ins whose health prevents them from going to a church building and there are those in countries where they can’t gather in large numbers. But it’s still possible for two or three to get together for prayer and spiritual encouragement. We experience God’s presence in a unique way when we meet together even with just one or two others. My dear friend regularly visits the sick and the marginalized to show one one-on-one love and to bring spiritual and physical food. My in-laws are no longer able to attend services, but a couple from their church come to their home and share the Lord’s Supper with them each month. Husband’s parents talk about the Bible with their son and daughter on the phone. They love hearing God stories from others who are walking in faith.

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20

Relationships are why watching church online isn’t the same as meeting together. Being a spectator is different than being a participant! You can get good teaching online but don’t get the other important piece- relationships, which are an essential part of our well-being. We were made for living in community, specifically a faith community. Each of us contributes our God-given part for the good of others and they provide good things to us.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

For Further Thought
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:34-40