A Community that thrives.

In his final greetings, as he concluded his second letter to the Church in Corinth, Apostle wrote: “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you… May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (II Corinthians 13:11,14).

In these words, Apostle Paul underlines the importance of living in harmony with one another and striving for unity as disciples of Christ. We must encourage one another and be of one mind in our personal relationships. To live in harmony with one another, we must also have a right relationship with God. As we live in peace with one another, we invite the presence of God to dwell among us. Through his grace and love, we can experience true fellowship with him and with each other. Paul wanted the believers in Corinth to be blessed as true Christians.

In the Holy Land, the land where Jesus walked, there are two major water bodies. One is Sea of Galilee, which is also known as Sea of Tiberias or Lake of Gennesaret. It is a beautiful lake that is filled with fish and surrounded by lush greenery. The other is the Dead Sea. The salt content of the Dead Sea is about ten times more than of other seas, which makes it a harsh environment in which life cannot thrive. The Jordan River is the primary water source of Sea of Galilee, and the same Jordan River flows down to the Dead Sea. The reason why the Sea of Galilee is beautiful and alive while the Dead Sea is barren and lifeless is that the Sea of Galilee has an outlet, but the Dead Sea does not have an outlet. Water flows in and out of the Sea of Galilee. When it comes to the Dead Sea, water flows into it but does not flow out. This is what happens to the community that receives the grace of Jesus Christ and the love of God but does not share it. Life does not flourish. On the other hand, the community that shares the grace and love that it receives will be alive and beautiful and will be a place where believers will grow and thrive. It will be a community that will be of same mind with the triune God and with one another.

As I, along with my family, move to serve in another Church after having had the privilege to serve here at St.Stephen’s Church for the last nine years, it is my prayer that the grace and love of God will continually flow through the community at St.Stephen’s so that it will always thrive. 

Charles Hodge wrote, “For a Christian is one who seeks and enjoys the grace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost.” So let us remember to live in harmony with one another and seek the unity that comes through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. May God bless you abundantly!

Rev.Thomas Jacob

Presbyter-in-charge