Issue 767 – Growing Together – June 6, 2022
If you have ever spent any time walking in the woods, you have likely observed a phenomenon known as gemel or inosculated trees. I have often seen it but didn’t know what it was called until recently.
Inosculating happens when two or more trees touch each other and end up growing together. Sometimes they grow together so much that it becomes nearly impossible to tell which tree is which.
These tree pairs are called “gemels,” an otherwise obsolete term that means one of a pair. It is similar to what happens when you graft branches onto a tree.
Something similar happens in people. While we don’t become physically connected, we can begin to resemble each other. Best friends are often like this; after a while, they can start to dress alike and pick up one another’s speech patterns. If you doubt this can happen, watch teenagers for a time.
It happens in all age groups, but it is readily apparent in teens. We live near a school, so I often see groups of two or three female friends walking together. They will have similar hair cuts, clothing and mannerisms; often almost to being hard to tell them apart.
This becoming like those around us can be both a danger and a blessing.
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 1 Corinthians 15:33
While likely quoted from an old play, Paul’s words to the church in Corinth carry a considerable warning. Watch out who you hang out with, and pick your heroes and friends closely.
The writer of Hebrews says,
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25
We are called to be in the world, but not part of the world, and we are called to gather with fellow saints.
We can be amongst people of many character faults and sin types in the world and love them. We need to be on our guard so that we don’t fall into the easy trap of becoming like them. We can love and befriend sinners without joining them in their sins.
We need to be with believers to be encouraged, rebuked and equipped. There is immeasurable strength and power when believers gather together.
Jesus understood the dangers and prayed for us.
But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. John 17:13-19
Jesus could have prayed for us to be removed from the world, but He didn’t. We have a role to play in reaching the world for the glory of God, which dictates that we remain in the world.
We are not in the world alone. Christ intercedes for us, and the Spirit of Truth resides in us. He has given us the church so that we might be strengthened and encouraged.
I am reminded of a scene from a television show from the 1980s called Hill Street Blues. Each episode opened with a roll call and update on what the officers would be facing on their shift. As the officers prepared to head out, the duty sergeant always admonished them with,” And hey, let’s be careful out there.” He understood their job and the dangers.
So this morning, allow me to borrow from fiction with a blessing. I know we are called to be in the world, but “hey, let’s be careful out there.”
May you be faithful to God’s call and strongly anchored in Him.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed.
Kevin.
Gleanings From The Word.
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV). Spelling modified to Canadian English as required.
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