From Creation to CallingSample

God has given the church a high calling: The way we love one another should showcase God’s goodness, gentleness, mercy, and forgiveness. Until Jesus returns, the church will never live out these instructions perfectly. There will be faults and failures, but this passage calls us to not give up on one another when things get messy. Above all, we are to pursue love and walk in the truth or, what this passage calls, “the light.” That means we don’t sweep sins under the rug; we bring them out into the open so we can face them and confess them to God. We can call out sin with compassion and also fiercely protect our community from corruption, manipulation, and all types of abuse. Only then can we move forward in making our churches a reflection of Jesus’ light, love, and life. When we love one another and walk in the light, even in our imperfect, broken way, we can show the world what it looks like for the family of God to live together in the world.

Reflection Questions:

1. In what ways have you seen the church step up and model love and generosity to the world?

2. How have you seen the church handle failure before? Why is it important for the church to address failure in the open, not cover it up or make excuses?

3. Think about your story of how you ended up at church. What drew you here? Why are you still coming? What do you hope to give and get from this community? Ask God to show you how you can be part of building up the church.