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Me, me, me – and then nothing for a long time? For years, sociologists have observed a trend toward increasing egoism in society. Growing self-absorption, a lack of willingness to help others, and a lack of respect for others is the sobering assessment. People who don't primarily think of themselves are in the minority.
The self-centeredness that is widespread in our society is unfortunately also evident in our church communities. This leads to high expectations within the local congregation often not being met and individual views not receiving sufficient attention.
Many people long for a community that primarily considers their own needs—a community that is there for them and their families when they need support, and in which their opinions are shared or at least accepted. In this context, the role of the Church is increasingly perceived as that of an organizational institution providing various services that can be accessed as needed. As a result, the biblical image of the Church as a living body with Jesus Christ as its head (cf. Eph 4), and as a place of protection and care, is increasingly fading into the background.
A healthy community life, on the other hand, is characterized by members serving one another out of love for God, guided by the Holy Spirit, and appreciating the services of their brothers and sisters in the local community.
God speaks to us directly, especially through the Holy Scriptures, which were written by people inspired by the Holy Spirit. Even today, there are brothers and sisters in our churches who are led by the Holy Spirit and support one another in their weaknesses. This mutual support is essential for growing in love and becoming more spiritually like Jesus in all areas of life (cf. Eph 4:15).
Jesus Christ, as the head of the church, is the central governing body of the entire body. He unites and guides the church through the responsible brothers, who act as joints. Therefore, the ministers bear a special responsibility: if they, and thus the church, are not guided by Jesus, the head, through the Holy Spirit, but rely on their own human reasoning, the church will be led by human considerations instead of divine wisdom (cf. Mark 8:33).
Both the internal organs and the visible members of a community are necessary to ensure stability and to protect us from changing doctrines and deceptions.
The indispensable role of each member in the body of Christ
In the community of believers, it is of central importance that members take responsibility for one another and support each other, as described in 1 Corinthians 12:25. Each individual should not only be concerned with enjoying the benefits of the community, but also actively consider how they can contribute their own abilities and time to promote the common good.
Each member of the Body of Christ has a specific role: the eye, as a member, recognizes and points to both challenges and opportunities. The arm puts solutions into action, while the kidney contributes to the spiritual health of the whole through prayer and commitment to sound doctrine. Each member fulfills its function according to the gifts it has received from Christ. This interdependence is essential for our spiritual well-being. Both the internal organs and the visible members are necessary to ensure stability and to protect us from the shifting doctrines and deceptions that can confront us from the outside (cf. Eph 4:16).
When a member of the congregation suffers, everyone feels the suffering. If the problems in a congregation, both spiritual and emotional shortcomings, are not addressed, it weakens the entire body. The body becomes miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked (cf. Revelation 3:18), just as it was written about the church in Laodicea.
The eye salve, the precious oil that flows over the head and reaches the hem of Aaron's garments (cf. Psalm 133), symbolizes the necessary cleansing of the eyes and clothing by the Holy Spirit and Jesus, the head of the Church. This cleansing and anointing is essential for the unity of its members.
Love of one's neighbor should not be practiced because the neighbor deserves it, but because Jesus loved us first.
The price of devotion and the power of community
Showing love for our neighbor and helping them comes at a price. It often requires strength, time, and overcoming our own pride and stubborn opinions. The exhortation in the Letter to the Hebrews to care for one another and to spur each other on to love and good works forms the core of service to our neighbor in all its forms, be it through a kind word (cf. Eph 4:32), an exhortation, or regular participation in gatherings.
Only those who show love encourage others to practice love as well. Only those who perform good works inspire others to do the same. Jesus is an outstanding example for us in this regard. Out of love for the church, He paid the price for our salvation and offered His life as a sacrifice pleasing to God (see Eph 5). Isn't that a challenge to our love for our neighbor?
Brother Richard, who often traveled as a servant, once asked his wife if she loved him despite his absences. She replied that she loved him not because of his love for her, but because of Jesus' love for her. Has Jesus not awakened this love in us? Let us love our neighbor and serve one another with the different gifts of grace, according to the grace we have received (cf. Rom 12:6). We do this not because our neighbor deserves it, but because Jesus first loved us (cf. 1 Jn 4:9).
Furthermore, we should not expect thanks from others for every good deed; rather, we can say like Nehemiah: “Remember me for good, O my God” (Neh 13:31).
Jesus is an outstanding example. Out of love for the church, He paid the price for our salvation and offered His life as a sacrifice pleasing to God.
Mutual admonition and willingness to change
Just as we treat our fellow human beings, we should also accept the love that comes to us in the form of rebuke and correction, whether in our behavior or our views. We should even actively seek these corrections, especially in pastoral conversations. Often, however, our own proud and stubborn ego gets in our way. Everyone needs admonition! Even Peter was rebuked by Paul when he displayed hypocrisy in Antioch and separated himself from the Jews. To err is human, but are we willing to be corrected?
King David sinned and, according to the Law of Moses, should have died; today, this would be a matter for church discipline. Yet God speaks favorably of him: “I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will do all my will” (Acts 13:22). In 1 Kings 9:4, God emphasizes that David walked with a pure heart and uprightly, doing everything he was commanded. Why does God speak so positively of David? Because he was willing to be corrected and acknowledge his guilt. No one has repented as sincerely as he did; David even expressed his repentance in a psalm that was sung.
Our imperfections cause us to challenge one another, testing our faith. Often, due to our limited knowledge of God, we offer false advice and make hasty judgments, much like Job's friends. Therefore, it is crucial that we prepare ourselves. By examining ourselves in God's Word as in a mirror, we can see how God sees us. In this way, we will not overlook the plank in our own eye.
Our goal should be to admonish and comfort with love, rather than to judge hastily. For this, we need the healing balm that clarifies our vision and makes us more like Jesus. Awareness of our own problems and weaknesses, both present and past, should not prevent us from offering advice to others.
Rather, it should encourage us to treat our neighbors with compassion and the right tone. We should avoid judging them prematurely and instead act from a pure heart, a good conscience, and genuine faith. Often, our own ego urges us to quickly express an opinion; but Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:13: “Bear with one another and forgive each other if any of you has a grievance against someone else. Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you.”
Especially in a society where one's own proud and self-centered self increasingly takes center stage, it is of great importance to be part of the body of Christ, particularly a local church where Jesus is the head. In your church, there are brothers and sisters who are inspired by the Holy Spirit and who show each other the love of Jesus in their inadequacies. By supporting and carrying your neighbor today, you create the possibility of being carried yourself tomorrow.
Paul Betz,
Municipality of Tostedt