I am by nature an introvert, and I thrive on spending large blocks of time in solitude and quiet. However, there are times that being with others, especially close friends, brings encouragement and refreshment to my spirit and soul.

God created us to join in fellowship and be a part of His body. That is not always an easy endeavor! When you bring people together, they can bring a lot of things with them that can be challenging, such as their own individuality, thoughts, motives, desires, personal baggage, sins, attitudes, wounds, and a plethora of other things.

We don’t have to go very far in the Bible to see these dynamics. Imagine the 12 disciples. Jesus was loving, training, and equipping them to be men who would change the world for the glory of God. Of course, He was more than up for that challenge despite the conflicts that arose!

Thankfully, in this day and hour God has provided us with His grace (divine enablement) and the Holy Spirit to help us fully become His body, which includes each other!

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV) states: And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling which God lives by His Spirit. So, we are living stones being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

A spiritual sacrifice includes prayers, praise, will, bodies, times, and talents. Or, in essence, our whole being! We were created for God and by God to have fellowship with Him (Colossians 1:16). We are to belong to and be completely and totally His!

To do this, we cannot conform to this world (Romans 12:2). We are called to be separated from the world and come out of it (2 Corinthians 6:17). God wants a people for Himself to be His body and His bride, holy and acceptable.

As His people, we need to let Him conform us to Himself. And that process includes others. Recently, the Holy Spirit quickened to my heart Galatians 6:2 which states that we are to bear each other’s burdens. I began to ponder how I can accomplish that with those in my life.

The Bible encourages us to accomplish this by deeply loving and caring for one another and coming alongside in support, both in the spiritual and natural. It is about extending honor, commitment, and going the extra mile to think and to prefer others above ourselves. In addition, it’s about making a conscious effort to look for ways to bless others, even if it is just a word of encouragement.

In essence, it is being like Jesus and being the light in a dark world. The Bible says that they will know us by our love (John 13:35). Galatians 6:10 tells us that we are to do good to everyone, but we are to pay special attention to the family of Christ.

So, I believe in this day and hour, that the Lord is beckoning us to draw nearer to Him and each other. It will be essential in the days ahead to stand united as His body as we face increasing darkness, persecution, and shaking.

Together, we strengthen and encourage one another to be overcomers, to be testimonies of His overcoming victory, and a beautiful sanctuary and temple for His presence.

Song:

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for calling us as Your family, Your body and living sanctuary, to be one with You and each other. Help us to continue to have a heart that loves others deeply and is willing to bear each other’s burdens as we walk together with the common goal of glorifying You. Help us to overcome obstacles and hinderances that would prevent us from doing that. And bring us into a place of unity where You desire to dwell with Your presence and joy.

Key Scriptures

Here are some additional Scriptures about the Body of Christ:

• 1 Corinthians 1:10
• John 13:35
• Philippians 2:2
• 2 Corinthians 13:11
• Romans 14:19
• Acts 4:32
• Galatians 3:28
• Philippians 2:3
• Ephesians 4:23
• Matthew 18:19–20
• Ephesians 4:11–13
• Colossians 3:13–14
• John 17:23
• Psalms 133:1
• Ephesians 4:1–6
• 1 John 4:12
• Ephesians 4:3
• Romans 12:6
• Philippians 2:1