tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34228952.post496156597828116333..comments2023-09-19T02:45:43.377-05:00Comments on Ephesians 4.22: Chadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168528627279213036noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34228952.post-69526629436413301752006-09-23T15:04:00.000-05:002006-09-23T15:04:00.000-05:00It's irionic that I read this while I'm on the USC...It's irionic that I read this while I'm on the USC Bible study retreat this weekend; this weekend is given to the purpose of being taught and reflecting upon the priority of the local church...which is community.<br /><br />Of the top of my head, I'd take a stab and say that people crave community because that's one of the things mankind was created for, BUT in sin, mankind hunts for everything EXCEPT a biblical community.<br /><br />Take MySpace for example. There is unity in MySpace over anything and everything except righteousness and love of Christ. The guy who went on the shooting spree at Dawson College belonged to a web-community call VampireFreaks. That's NOT a place where a person gets their TRUE needs met.<br /><br />People need acceptance, yes. People need relationship where they can 'fit in', yes. People need to be supported by one another, yes. <br /><br />People DO NOT seek acceptance in a community of uprightness though. People DO NOT seek relationships that encourage them towards Christlikeness. People DO NOT seek to support one another in disciplining one another against sin and supporting one another in righteous pursuits. There is psuedo-bodies and various organizations everywhere but there is no alternative to the body of Christ.<br /><br />Everyone wants the blessings of the body without the pain, hence they seek alternate communities. Ironic thing is that those psuedo communities cannot fulfill, for they don't have the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit working to bind and build them.<br /><br />Just a thought:<br /><br />The emergent people get the 'felt need' right...they just don't have a clue what the REAL need is that leads to the feeling of need.The Armchair Geekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18032868793324259369noreply@blogger.com