Memory Verse:
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:24‭-‬25 (KJV).‬‬

REFLECT:
The importance of human relationships can never be over-emphasized. As human beings, we need each other if we must live a successful, fulfilling, and well-meaning life. There is this saying that cannot be truer now in this day and age, which goes thus, “United we stand, divided we fall.” This saying is even more relevant now especially, to us believers in Christ Jesus if we must see the Kingdom of God established in our world. God’s blueprint as revealed in His word from the beginning was to establish man in communities of like-minded people so that we could be of service to each other.

It is for this reason God gave the first commandment and instruction to man in Genesis 1:28 “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (KJV).

This instruction was for man to fulfil a common responsibility and purpose. Responsibility and purpose with God being at the center of everything. Even with the mishap of the fall of man, man did not completely lose the essence of community. Down the centuries and generations to date, we see the emergence of communities. Societies were built, and organizations and corporations were formed. Bringing together people with common goals and aspirations.

The problem, however, is that at this point, God was systematically removed from the equation, and man refused to acknowledge God as the focus and centre of man’s societal endeavours. So, what did we get as a result of this blatant rebellious behaviour? We got degeneration, decay, deterioration, decline, etc. Things did not work as optimal as it was meant to, rather than the blessing, the curse prevailed. The story of the ‘Tower of Babel,’ in Genesis chapter 11 is a good example of man’s rebellious actions, and mind you the attitude of man in our present-day reality has not deviated or changed one bit from what it was in Genesis 11. We are still erecting our modern-day ‘Towers of Babel,’ both in our hearts, as well as physical structures.

The only hope we have in our present dispensation is that the Grace of God has been revealed to us in this generation. This grace came to us because of God’s love, mercy, and goodness that He commanded towards us. So, what does the Grace of God look like? Why was it revealed? The Grace of God is a person. The person of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Romans 5:8 explicitly explains this to us. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (KJV). Thus Jesus was sent to die for us, to redeem us from the power of sin, death, and the curse due. Apart from redeeming us from the wiles of the devil, He restores us back to God’s original plan for mankind. The plan of the Blessings of God-centered communities, relationships, and societies.

Jesus’s death and resurrection once again give us a new beginning, which is, having like-minded people coming together in unity, and love with one purpose —- to fulfil, and accomplish the Genesis 1:28 agenda, or mandate. However, this time with much greater machinery —called “The Great Commission,” powered by the Holy Spirit. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV); AND. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:15-16 (KJV).

When we understand God’s intentions for creating communities of like-minded people, we will begin to appreciate each other better and make it our responsibility to support one another so that we can successfully establish God’s Kingdom’s purposes for our lives on the earth. Ebimobo W. Obasi

PLEASE PRAY ALONG:
A Prayer to Encourage and Challenge Others. FATHER GOD, thank You for being a constant encouragement to me. And thank You for placing people in my life who encourage and challenge me to grow closer to You. Today, please show me how I can be a part of establishing Your purposes on the earth. Help me to intentionally involve, and encourage the people You place in my life so that we can cooperatively achieve Your Kingdom mandate. Show me how I can prepare for Your return by loving others as You have loved me. In JESUS MIGHTY NAME AMEN.