You

Am I the only person who thinks sometimes the perception of following Jesus feels like an overwhelmingly individual pursuit?

I was reflecting recently how intensely individualistic the perception can be, to such a degree that even elements of scripture that are obviously corporate in nature are individualised.

What I love about quality radio is that however large the audience, the programme and the host endeavours to make the experience a personal one. It is fitting to my ears and warms my heart. (This is also why I don’t listen to radio much anymore, because such experiences are few and far between on modern radio.)

Yet that is not the purpose of some of scripture. Indeed some of the epistles are written to groups so they may embrace the united identity that Christ had destined for His Body. Often, then, when we read ‘you’ it is not an individual deal – it’s a communal one.

The implications of that are massive.

For example I have heard one verse personalised and individualised that was written for the group.

So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:17-21)

That last bit about ‘He who can do far more abundantly than all that we ask and think, according to the power at work within us’ has been shockingly individualised to give the impression it’s God going beyond my wild imagination.

Yet reading this carefully, two truths emerge. One – it’s about you in the plural. Not just beyond my thoughts – beyond ours. Two – it’s about the power (for which we praise God) at work within us. The power is operating in us. Us as a unit, a body, a corporate being, where there is something going on far greater than me on my own. It is at work in us.

Think about that.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden