By Cheryl Mah
Jesus commanded us to “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). As Scripture points out – we were created in God’s image to reflect our Maker, by caring for others. To truly love God and our neighbour, we should focus on fostering healthy relationships in all these arenas of life:
1.Be A Good Steward
The word “steward” is rooted from the Ancient Greek word “oikonomos”, which translates into “household manager”. A Biblical steward is trusted to care for things that are important or dear to their master. In the same way – although our lives belong to God (Ephesians 1:11) – we need to recognise that He has given us authority over our lives and that He is the source of all blessings (James 1:17).
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God has equipped us with the skills, talents, and time required to be a good steward (1 Peter 4:10). We have not merely been placed on this earth to live a good, comfortable life. According to God’s will, we have been placed here to live purposefully (Romans 8:28) – i.e. To spread the love of Jesus and the Gospel (Mark 16:15). A good steward acknowledges and gratefully receives God’s abundant gifts and generously shares them with others (1 Peter 4:10). By serving others wholeheartedly, we are bringing glory to God.
2.Pray With The Community
To pray is to communicate with God. If we do not maintain contact with God, it is impossible to grow. We must always strive to seek God’s face, listen to His voice, and work closely with the Holy Spirit in all that we do. Although God knows what we need before we ask, He waits for our petition because it is His way of showing us that He loves us.
While prayer alone with the Lord is powerful, prayer with the community is the most powerful. The Lord Himself has said, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20). Jesus has also commanded us to pray for others (James 5:16) – not only for our family, friends, and fellow believers, but even for our enemies (Luke 6:28). By praying for others we are imitating Jesus Christ, who intercedes with God the Father on our behalf.
3.Study Scripture Together
Our physical and spiritual existence came into being by God’s Word and we continue to be upheld by it (1 Peter 1:23). His Word is true, infallible and has authority (Psalm 119:89); it is the foundation on which we must build our lives. The more we seek God through his Word, the more the Spirit sanctifies us and brings a deeper understanding and intimacy with God (Hebrews 4:12).
Just as we need friends to help us weather through the storms of life, encountering the Word together allows us the opportunity to share different perspectives and insights. Through this, our understanding of Scripture is broadened and deepened. When active participants in a like-minded community are dedicated to spiritual growth, understanding of God’s Word shifts from intellect to a transformation of the heart (Romans 12:2). As our lives are changed, the lives around us change too.
4.Be Accountable To Someone
The dictionary defines “accountability” as being “subject to the obligation to report, explain, or justify something; being responsible; answerable”. In biblical terms, accountability is God’s instrument that helps us to enter His fullness and His calling (Hebrews 4:13); it is based on God’s law and on God’s Word (2 Corinthians 5:10).
As a Christian, being accountable to others is a duty (Matthew 7:3–5). We must develop relationships with other Christians that promote spiritual honesty as well as obedience to God. Such relationships can help us to evaluate our walk with God and with others and will help us to stay rooted on our spiritual journey (James 5:16). Whether we have committed good or bad deeds or think careless thoughts – or even act according to our own human nature – we must be held accountable to the clear standard of God’s Word (Romans 3:19).
In 1 Corinthians 12:12, we are told that we are all part of the body of Christ, but individually, we are different members with different gifts. Despite any individual lacking, the body of Christ is – overall – still stronger together as one Church. The unity and diversity within the Church enriches the community and equips people for righteousness to glorify Christ as well as to spread the news of His love and salvation to all.
REFLECTION
Hebrews 10:24–25
“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.”
Reflection Questions:
- Do you think you have been a good steward? How have you attempted to be one?
- How has praying and studying Scripture as a community transformed your life, or the lives around you?
- Who have you chosen to be accountable to, and why?