Family, Community & God

Synopsis     1Chron 2:50-3:12     11/14/2019 

The chronicler finished describing other clans from the tribe of Judah. And then, he focused his attention on identifying King David’s sons.  

Israel and Relationship with God 

The chronicler focused his attention on family relationships.  

Family, Community, and God 

There is a lot of emphasis in modern Christian understanding on the individual. As a result, evangelism has emphasized solving my concern for my salvation through accepting a personal relationship with God. And the basis for this relationship is the sacrificial death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Of course, there is nothing wrong – and everything right – about this.  

But it’s interesting because the historical and practical challenge of relationship with God doesn’t really seem to be with the individual. For example, an individual person is either in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, or they aren’t. I’m either in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, or not. Walking out the relationship might be challenging, but the relationship is certain.

But the individual condition of my personal soul doesn’t seem to be the absolute end of God’s focus. Instead, what God seems to really want is a relationship with a community. Of course, a community is more than a collection of individuals. In fact, it starts with families. And, the ultimate Christian community is the Communion of Saints.  

So, in the end, perhaps the intended outcome of creation really is community. And if this is the case, it follows that the true goal of creation isn’t to produce a collection of holy individuals. But instead the true goal is a Holy Community. 

“You were “no people” but now you are God’s people; you “had not received mercy” but now you have received mercy.” 1Peter 2:10