1 - Introduction - Living like a real Christian Idolatry - The Sin Beneath The Sin | Page 7

There are a number of directions in the New Testament to “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (Romans 16 v 16; 1 Corinthians 16 v 20; 2 Corinthians 13 v 12) or “with a kiss of love” (1 Peter 5 v 14). It is customary to skip over these verses with the thought that this was an ancient cultural greeting that we don’t use any more. Even if we grant the need for some cultural translation to our own time, that does not remove our responsibility to obey the biblical command to communicate love and affection in a visible way. It is appropriate for different people groups to choose different ways to communicate love and affection, but they must do it. We must not be cold, clipped, abrupt, indifferent, and harsh with one another. More than that, we must be willing to actually talk about our love for each other. Notes on specific texts: • James 1 v 19 says one of the easiest ways to practice and show warmth is to listen very attentively to others, rather than being quick to talk. Thursday The next three community-building practices are all about sharing with one another — about how to be family. Read the Scripture verses which accompany each practice. Practice 4 — Sharing One Another’s Space, Goods, and Time • Romans 12 v 10 – “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love” • 1 Peter 4 v 9 – “Offer hospitality to one another” • Galatians 6 v 10 – “As we have opportunity, let us do good” This is a willingness to share one’s physical, material world with others, the way family members do. Specifically, this practice includes: • Sharing space with one another. Christians are to invite one another into their living space. They are to share life together. This means eating, studying, playing, praying, and so on—together. • Sharing one another’s goods. In the most practical way, we help one another. It may mean doing practical errands, giving financial gifts, or providing for needs in other concrete ways. • Sharing common time together. This means both being available to one another as well as a commitment to meeting together with regularity. Notes on specific texts: