Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Robert Ricciardelli

Home
About

Home
New Visions
The Community of the Called Out by James Ryle

The Community of the Called Out by James Ryle

Last updated on: December 17, 2011 at 4:50 pm by editorconvergingzone

The Community of the Called Out by James Ryle 2011-12-17T16:50:29-08:00 editorconvergingzone

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

“Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the City, the watchman waketh but in vain” (Psalm 127:1).

Man is a communal creature by design; we are not built to be alone. While some rare souls seek solace in the caverns of monastic retreat, the overwhelming majority of us are forever compelled toward community. It is how God has wired us.

The question, then, is what kind of community do we seek? Like Abraham of old, we “seek a city, whose builder and maker is God” (Heb.11:10). That is to say, we hunger for a godly community in every sense of the word. Law and order, peace and justice, truth and goodness, love and mercy, freedom and creativity. In one word — godly.

Jesus made it clear that He came to start just such a community on the earth. “I will build My Church,” He said, “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” The Greek word He used isekklesia, meaning “the community of the called out.” This immediately makes us ask, “Called out of what?”

the way of the cross The old hymn gives the best answer –

“Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night;

into Thy freedom, gladness, and light.

Out of my sickness into Thy health,

out of my want and into Thy wealth,

out of my sin and into Thyself,

Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of my shameful failure and loss;

into the glorious gain of Thy cross.

Out of earth’s sorrows into Thy balm,

out of life’s storms and into Thy calm,

out of distress to jubilant psalm,

Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of unrest and arrogant pride;

into Thy blessed will to abide.

Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,

out of despair into raptures above,

upward for aye on wings like a dove,

Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of the fear and dread of the tomb;

into the joy and light of Thy home.

Out of the depths of ruin untold,

into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,

ever Thy glorious face to behold,

Jesus, I come to Thee.

(William T. Sleeper, 1896)

Yet another question rises, “What, then is it that we have been called into?” To be sure, it is a community like nothing this world has to offer. The Bible refers to it in such comprehensive terms as The House of the Lord, the City of our God, and the Kingdom of Heaven. It is both local and global, as well as eternal. It is not institutional; but relational.

It is gathered in the name of the Lord, governed by the word of the Lord, guided by the Spirit of the Lord, guarded by the power of the Lord, and garnished with the glory of the Lord.

And there is only one way into this Community; it is through faith in the Lord Jesus, evidenced by love for His people, which springs out of obedience to His word.

Are you in?

Previous Post

December 17, 2011

Preaching To Yourself by Robert Ricciardelli

Next Post

December 17, 2011 “Love Must Exceed Your Message” by Alan Smith

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Arts & Entertainment Business Coach Robert Coaching Community Education Faith Family/Relationships Government Health History/Biography Leadership Marriage Mindset Musings Science Technology

Select a Month June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who was Jochebed?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Jesus' mother Samuel's mother Moses' mother David's mother