We are better together. This became especially evident during the recent pandemic when people were isolated from family and friends. We need each other to share our day, to give and receive encouragement, and to love. We need people to pray for us when we struggle or have battles that are difficult to overcome.
Others can model their relationship with Jesus so we know what it can be in our lives. God did not design us to live our lives in isolation but together. Solomon writes about the importance of others around us. Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. [1]
Saul Needed Someone to Help Him
After Saul’s radical conversion, he began to preach powerful messages about Jesus in the synagogues. The believers liked Saul’s message but were wary that it might be a trap. Saul had done much damage to the church, and the believers did not trust him.
Acts 9:26 When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! [2] At this time, Saul must have wondered what it would take to convince people, not realizing God had a plan.
Acts 9:27 Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus. [3] Barnabas would do for Saul what he could not do himself. During difficult times, we often realize the importance of the body of Christ and how much we need each other.
Jesus is Our Model of Better Together
Although Jesus was the Son of God, He did not attempt to live out the Christian life by Himself. Jesus knew the work His Father had given Him would be demanding, frustrating, and tiresome. He knew he would need time away from the crowds to refresh Himself with close personal friends and His heavenly Father.
Jesus was God and man, but He still desired to have close friends. He did not want to face His trials, hardships, and ministry alone but with His disciples. Jesus shows us the value of ministry together and is a model for us today. We need fellowship with other believers to help us walk out of the Christian life.
As a person of faith, we need fellowship that cannot take place during Sunday worship but happens as we live life together. In a group of friends, we can share our joys, burdens, disappointments, and victories. We need a circle of friends like Jesus and His disciples. We also need a friend who acts as an encourager, like Saul had in Barnabas. To learn how we are better together, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/from-persecutor-to-preacher
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.