God has given us each other, and we will never walk alone

In the shelter of each other

We will live
We will live (In the shelter)
In the shelter of each other
We will live
We will live (You will never walk alone)

I know! I know! it is a bit strange, perhaps, to start out a blog with song lyrics.  But I have always believed music is a powerful spiritual force, and have always been very moved and often inspired when men write from their hearts and place that on the stringed instruments...  :)  So forgive this brief indulgence, and know it is with a purpose...

I first heard this song by Jars of Clay at the Rock and Worship Roadshow.  It placed deep thoughts in my brain and I have had it's message stuck in my head ever since.  What is this?  I thought Christ was our shelter!  How is it then that this songwriter has made a bold proclaimation of living in the shelter of each other? 

Now I must confess, that I have not spoken with said songwriter.  But I believe I have an idea of what he was after when he penned this song.  And I believe it is a message that needs to be echoed throughout our churches.  Why?  Because I believe the message that the songwriter was expressing is the same message that God expresses in the Word, and if applied, could radically alter the future of this nation...

I think the first thing to look at is what exactly it is that we, as a group of believers, are.  We as Christians are described as many things- from the light of the world to the salt of the earth, to priests and children of the most High God- but there is one thing we are referred to that caught my attention as concerning this current subject.  And that is, the Body of Christ Himself.  In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul illustrates this idea that some of us are likened spiritually to the feet of a body; some likened to hands; some to ears; and so on.  He illustrates the point that we all are different, and we all have different gifts.  I think it is safe to say that Paul was in a sense, saying that there are no blank-minded robots in the family of God.  We are all individuals, unique in a variety of ways.  BUT despite this undeniable truth of individuality, Paul ALSO makes another point in his "unique" comparrison of the church to a body: that just as in the physical, the "eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you"- so we, as a part of the Body of Christ, cannot say to another "I have no need of you"!  In fact, Paul takes it one step further by stating the following: "There should be no schism in the Body, but that the members have the same care one for another.  And whether one member suffer, ALL the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, ALL the members rejoice with it." (1 Cor. 12:25-26)  This same idea is echoed in the book of Hebrews, where it is written "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also IN THE BODY."  (Hebrews 13:3)

In a lost and dying world, we have been left as a witness to those around us, to show Christ, to shine His Light in the darkness, to reflect Him that set us free.  We ARE His Body on this frail planet.  As a result of that, we must also understand that we ARE His arms for reaching not only the lost- but those amongst ourselves that are hurting, that are in need, that are weeping, that are broken.  Here is my thought: Is it at all possible that Christ provides us that much needed shelter that we are so desperate for, those arms that we so badly need to lean on in our darkest hour- that He provides for that need through His Body?  That His Body- the Body of believers- is to be the comfort, the shelter, the fulfillment of His promise? 

I would daresay that the answer to that question is yes.  If we are to weep with those who weep, if we are to rejoice with those who rejoice, then we must have need to be involved with each other's lives.  We are to be that fulfillment of promise.  Can you imagine what kind of effect that would have on this world if they saw us actually loving each other?

Now this does not mean welcome with open arms any who claim the name of Jesus.  we must be wise and discerning, for scripture warns us that there are many false teachers and antichrists that may look good on the outside, but in reality are just pawns of the devil himself, teaching wicked doctrine.  We must be cautious not to endure false teaching, and rather rebuke it with love.  But that is the key- LOVE.  1 Corinthians 13 style love.  And for those who are His- we must unite in love.  We must be those arms of comfort.  We must be the healing hand.  We must find shelter in each other.
 
Instead, though, too often we are divided.  we fight over carpet colors at church.  We fight over pre-tribulation vs. post-tribulation rapture.  We fight over worship styles.  We fight over whose denomination is the best.  We gossip about each other, we are backbiters, hateful, bitter, angry at our brothers and sisters.  Paul said that the eye cannot say to the hand I have no need of you- but the reality is, we attempt to do that constantly.

I recently heard an interesting observation about communism- that the leaders of the communist movement seek to divide a nation's people.  The reason being, is simple: a united people cannot be defeated.  I think there is a lesson we need to take from the Marxist-loving atheists.  It is, in it's simplest form, as follows: Satan seeks to divide the Body of Christ.  The reason being, is simple: a united Body cannot be defeated.  In fact- the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

My friends, we live in desperate times.  I believe the only hope for this nation is the message of the Gospel- a message that can only be effectively communicated by a united Body.  Isn't it time that we lay aside our petty differences, put down our own pride, accept that on some matters it is more important to be there for your brother as opposed to be more right than your brother?  My friends, I daresay that there is a nation full of broken people who are desperate for us to heal our own self-inflicted wounds so that we can, in turn, take the healing salve to them.