When we make the decision to follow Jesus, we start a lifelong journey. But this is not a trip we make on our own. When we ask Jesus into our lives, we join a family of other Christians all around the world who are doing their best to follow Jesus step by step.

Relational at His core, God yearns to have a relationship with each of us, and He wants us to grow in our relationships with one another. Jesus demonstrated this for us in His relationships with the 12 disciples.

Galatians 6:1-3 teaches that community is necessary for every Christian. So how do we know when we’ve found the people God wants us to share our lives with? When seeking out community with other Christians, look for people who:

1. listen to God and do what He says,
2. hold you accountable,
3. speak the truth with love and grace,
4. are dependable and trustworthy, and
5. readily give encouragement.

Believing we can do everything ourselves is prideful and shows a lack of humility. Opening up to new people might seem scary, but we have more to gain by investing in friendships in the church than we have to lose.

When we invest in selfishness, it inevitably leads to destruction. But when we respond to God’s command to love others, and we invest in relationships, we experience the joy, compassion, and depth of emotion that comes from a life well-lived (Galatians 6:7-8).

So don’t give up on each other. Don’t give up on doing good to one another. Because when we invest in what matters to God, the blessings always outweigh the risk.

Reflect:

• When something great happens or when the bottom falls out, who is the person you call first? Does that person’s advice and celebration bring you closer to Jesus or farther from Jesus?
• Why is it important to have friends who share our faith?
• Do you have community with other people in the church? If not, your next step might be to connect to a NewSpring Group or to start opening up to the people in your Group.