The Community of Grace At Work

The community of grace at work is a term that refers to the body of believers who are united by their faith in Jesus Christ and who are seeking to live out the gospel in their daily lives. It means walking out faith in your everyday life and serving the unique purpose you are designed for. This community exists both in a local church and in a broader body of believers worldwide. It is where people can work together to spread the message of the gospel and make a profound impact on the world. The community of believers functions best when everyone works together through their unique roles for the advancement of the kingdom of God. Ephesians 4:15-16 says, " Instead , speaking the truth in love , we will grow to become in every aspect the mature body of him who is the head , that is, Christ . From him the whole body ,joined and held together by every supporting ligament , grows and builds itself up in love , as each part does it work". This verse of the scripture emphasizes the importance of working together in unity and love , with each person contributing their gifts and talents to the whole body of Christ. 

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As believers, God's grace should be expressed through our actions . We are called to love and serve one another and this includes those outside the body of Christ. This community of grace is where people can find healing, redemption and restoration. It is a place where the love of Christ is evident even in the midst of brokenness and pain .  

We are welcomed into the family of God through the grace of our Jesus Christ and he gives us a place to belong which is the body of Christ - the church. In this beautiful family of God , we remain connected to him and live a life of abundant fruitfulness. We can also grow into being Jesus to those around us. 

Despite our differences and regardless of our background or social status as believers, there is a unity that exists within the body of Christ.

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The Importance of Unity in the Community of God's Grace

Unity is essential to the community of God's grace because it reflects the unity of the trinity - God, the father, the son and the holy spirit. The Bible tells us that believers are all members of one body and that they should work together to build up one another and to cause a great advancement to the kingdom of God. When believers are united, they can accomplish much more than they could alone. This allows the community to grow and thrive , as well as to be a powerful witness to the world. Unity amongst believers can be a source of strength and comfort . 

The unity of the body of Christ affects the church's ability to be productive for the kingdom of God . Ephesians 4:4 says, " There is one body and one spirit , just as you were called to one hope when you were called ". The Book of Psalms 133:1- 2  also tells us that, it is good and pleasant when brothers live together in unity. This is because, it is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard , even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments". 

When we are bond tightly in God's love and lay down our own self driven desires, the power in the church is magnificent. United, we express the beauty and fullness of Christ and God is glorified. 

There are many benefits of the community of God's grace at work;

1. There is room for spiritual growth and transformation

When believers are united in the body of Christ, they are able to grow and mature in their faith and their lives get transformed . This growth and transformation is not only beneficial for the individual but for also the community as a whole. As believers grow in their faith , they become better equipped to serve and love others and the whole body of Christ is strengthened. For spiritual growth; bible study, prayer and worship, and fellowship are necessary for believers. 

2. There is more effective outreach and evangelism.

When believers are united, they can effectively preach the gospel together. Evangelism is the act of sharing the gospel message with others with the goal of bringing them to Christ. Outreach is the act of meeting the needs of others , both physical and spiritual . Both evangelism and outreach are very important because they help to spread the love of Christ to others. When individuals are part of the community of grace, they have the opportunities to participate in both evangelism and outreach. 

3. There is increased resources and support in the body of Christ

The community of God's grace provides a number of resources and support system to individuals in need. There may also be emotional support and counseling available to help individuals through difficult times. They provide this strong support which can help people rely on one another for encouragement and guidance. 

4. There is room to experience God's love and his presence

The community of God's grace is a unique space where believers can feel love and presence of God in a great way.When people gather together in worship , prayer and fellowship , they can experience a deeper connection with God. They are connected by their shared live of God. 

The community of grace is a blessing to all who are part of it. It can provide opportunities for people to put their faith into practice. It can be a catalyst for reconciliation and peace in a divided world.

Also, the holy spirit is very important in the community of grace. The holy spirit is seen as the life and power of the community. The holy spirit empowers believers to live out their faith and serve others. The holy spirit can help individuals to see each other with love and compassion and to work together for one common purpose. He gives courage and strength and to do things impossible . He can also lead individuals to recognize and turn away from sin, and to pursue righteousness and holiness . This conviction and lead to the transformation of the community.

One of the best examples of the community of grace in the bible is seen in the early church in Acts of the Apostles 2:42- 47. " They devoted themselves to the apostle's teachings and to fellowship , to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common . They sold property and possessions to give anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. "

There is need for support and encouragement of a community of believers. We should not give up on meeting together , but should continue to gather in fellowship , love, maintaining unity and harmony amongst the body of Christ. Love is the foundation of the community of grace and it binds us together in unity. Galatians 6:2 says, " Carry each other's burdens , and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ ". This is the law of Christ Jesus, and we must strive to follow it. 

The community of grace is an essential part of the christian life and we should make it a top priority to be a part of it.