One Another in the Kingdom

 Ever wonder why there are so many “one another” phrases in the epistles? Like love one another, encourage one another, pray for one another, greet one another, serve one another, honor one another, be devoted to one another…and so on. 

These were written at a time when the Holy Spirit was moving powerfully. These apostles and believers, many of whom had met Christ, were doing wonderful things, doing miracles, preaching powerfully, baptizing many into the faith, resisting dejection while facing imprisonment and beatings. Christ is all we need, right? And they were really close to the the most awesome time in history—His Story. 

Yet they needed each other. 

Does this mean they failed in their faith? Does this mean God let them down?

Au contraire, mon ami! They were living in the Kingdom of God. They were fellow citizens and children of God. They were living out in a way that showed the fruit of the Spirit. You know the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. Those character traits that allow you to live in community. And community is what’s found in the Kingdom: community with Him as King, Mayor, and Neighborhood Sage rocking on His heavenly porch being the role model for everyone young and old. 

Needing others is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength in numbers. We cannot be in the Kingdom if we live as a hermit, or go fishing on the lake by ourselves on Sunday morning. The Kingdom is lived in the grit of life: the high-pressure, low-paying job; the family conflict; the cranky neighbor; the municipal zoning commission or landlord that won’t let us put up a shed… It’s why we need others to encourage us, serve us, pray for us…

And it’s why we are needed to this for others…in the Kingdom.

Boldness With God

I've always been struck by the boldness of the Psalmists to call God out on bad situations: wicked are prospering, what's up with that, God? Now I've been awed by Jeremiah being brash with God, sharing his perspective: "You deceived Your people...You deceived me." (Jer. 4.10; 20.7)

What were the accusations of deception? For the nation, Jeremiah says that God promised peace and yet destruction prevails. Jeremiah knows peace might be conditional on repentance, return to faith, a refusal to follow other idols. Yet he asserts God deceived His people. Would Jeremiah rank God lower on the trust scale for a lack of integrity? Perhaps this is a way to learn more from YHWH about how He thinks and decides--like Abraham asking God if He would destroy Sodom if ten good men could be found in the city. Moses too was bold enough to tell God that destroying His people in the wilderness would hinder any potential praise from other nations.

Jeremiah's accusation of personal deception happens after he's beaten by a priest and shackled by a very public city gate. It may harken back to when he was called by God to be a prophet. Jeremiah says he's now mocked and become a laughingstock because the message he brings is not pleasant. No one wants to hear him, His words being spoken. God promises that He will protect Jeremiah as long as he is not discouraged. There will be a struggle but Jeremiah will survive (1.8, 19). Maybe Jeremiah doesn't feel like he's surviving. Definitely not thriving. 

When I struggle, I might wonder, "God, where are you?" I might ask for circumstances to change. I might whine. I definitely haven't alleged that God broke His promises. Could I? Should I? Might I say to Him, "It's really hard to trust You right now. You're not showing up on time. The promises are unfulfilled. I don't feel safe around you. I'm not sure You can change the situation. Help my unbelief, my distrust"?

But wouldn't we confront a friend if they let us down? Would we confront a boss if they let us down?