An army of one?

The Navy Seals have one of the hardest training programs in the American military. They have this things called Log Training. Log training is when a small group of Seals is responsible for manipulating a log in various ways. They have to hold it over their head, run with it, perform squats. It is grueling and it is painful. It teaches them one thing... if you're going to survive... it's going require a team effort.

Christianity is the same way. If we are going to survive as Christians, we are going to have to realize that we cannot do it by ourselves. We need fellowship with other Christians.

Jesus knew this. Although He was God and had a closer relationship with God than any other person that ever walked the earth, Jesus never  performed His ministry in a vacuum. Even though the people that were with Him were far from perfect, Jesus realized the need to have them around and to help Him with His successful ministry!

Before Jesus died on the cross for us, He demonstrated this in the garden of Gethsemane

32 They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” 33 He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. 34 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Mark 14:32-34 NLT

If you open your Bible and look at Mark 14:37, Mark 14:39, and Mark 14:41 - you will see that Jesus came back 3 times because He realized and wanted the prayer of those that were closes to Him. He was demonstrating that we should support each other. Christianity IS a team sport!

In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And ALL OF YOU, SERVE EACH OTHER in humility, for God opposes the proud but favors the humble. 1 Peter 5:5

 The Bible is filled with lessons on community. The original children of Israel were families! When God said that He would bless Abraham, and all nations would be blessed by that blessing, He was talking about us too! The Bible talks about how we have the "spirit of adoption." - We are family! ... and families care about each other.

My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins. James 5:19 NLT

As Christians, we have a responsibility to each other - to be the strongest that we can be, and when weak, lean on each other. In God's family, there is no Army of one!

Watch this video on Navy Seal pole training. I apologize in advance for any language that you may find offensive.