Finish Line Faith, 11: Why God created the church: Together is better
By Matt Proctor*
You don't have to read far into your Bible to discover that human beings were created to be combined with other human beings.
In Genesis 1, God makes the world and declares, “It is good.” But after creating man., God says, “It is not good.” Why? Because the man is alone, there's only one of him, and humans aren't meant to do life one at a time.
So God decides to split he Adam. (I know, bad joke.) He makes Eve from Adam's rib to be his life partner, and only then can God say, “It is very good.” Call it Lego theology: Human beings were made to be connected. We were created for community.
This is because we are created in God's image (Genesis 1: 27). God is Trinity—completely one, yet in three persons. From eternity past, the Father, Son, and Spirit have lived together in perfect community. Since before the beginning of time, the Father, Son, and Spirit have enjoyed each other, served each other, valued each other, understood each other, and loved each other. At the center of the universe lives a divine community— three persons who are inseparably and wonderfully connected.
As humans created in God's image, we, too, are made for relationship. A solitary human being can never fulfill their destiny. You will never finish well on your own—literally.
A landmark Harvard study of 7,000 people found that the most isolated people were three times more likely to die than those with strong relationships. Reporting on the study, one psychologist wrote that “people who had bad health habits (such as smoking, poor eating habits, or alcohol use) but strong social ties lived significantly longer than people who had great health habits but were isolated. In other words, it is better to eat Twinkies with good friends than to eat broccoli alone.”
What is true physically is also true spiritually: We need community. That's why God invented the church. The Christian life is meant to be lived together. Too many in our culture say they're committed to Jesus but not the church. Disillusioned with imperfect churches, they take a “just me and Jesus” approach.
But not even Jesus did that. He gathered a very imperfect community of 12 to share life with. Jesus didn't begin the Lord's Prayer, “My Father who art in heaven.” He taught us to pray “Our Father.” While the gospel is certainly personal, it is never individual. If you belong to Jesus, you also belong to everyone else who belongs to Jesus. Imperfect as it is, the church is part of the package.
Don't skip the final paragraphs of this letter to Timothy. In this list of names, Paul's message to Timothy is powerful: Beware the peril of the solitary life. Don't try to go it alone. If you want to cross the finish line of faith, stay connected. Together with other believers, you will find a warm welcome. Together with other believers, you will find a second chance. Together with other believers, you will find a helping hand.
Together is better.
Especially for caregivers
• How has community made your journey more bearable? How have you offered community to another caregiver or lonely person?
• What steps could you take to discover the community your need? —M.T.
Read: 2 Timothy 4:9-15, 19-22
Pray: Thank you, Lord, for the concerned people in my life who don’t leave me to do caregiving alone.
* This devotion is adapted with permission from a new book by Matt Proctor, president of Ozark Christian College (Joplin, Missouri) (c) 2024. Finish Line Faith is a 12-week study of 2 Timothy perfect for any group or Bible study, and this devotion gives only a taste of the down-to-earth encouragement it provides. Click here for information on ordering copies for yourself or your group.