The central theme of the Old Testament was the belief that God had acted decisively in the history of Israel, and had entered into an intimate relationship with them through the making of a covenant. This meant that the individual Israelite was never simply an individual, but a member of the people of God. As a result of this, the goodness that God required was to be demonstrated not only in pious individuals, but also in the institutions of national life.

Jesus laid the same emphasis on the importance of community, and all his teaching on the Kingdom had both an individual and a corporate dimension to it. In replying to a question about spirituality, he used the book of Deuteronomy to affirm that he was concerned both with self fulfilment and service of others, and neither of these had priority over the other.

Mark 12:28-34
One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realised that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
Jesus replied “The most important commandment is this; ‘Listen, O Israel! The lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important; ‘Love your neighbour as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.”

In the Gospel of John, which arguably has more emphasis than the others on the personal aspects of discipleship, he gave his followers a ‘new commandment’ that was to be the basis of the Christian community:’

John 13:34
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other."

Why?

John 13:35
“Your love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples”

CONCLUSION

When the soil is fertile,  it becomes easier for the seed to grow. Put an unbeliever in a church or community where there is Love, the probability of him/her converting is high. But put the same unbeliever in the midst of strife and infighting, the result will be obvious and Satan will gloat with pleasure.

GALATIANS 2:1-5
“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing WHOLEHEARTEDLY with each other, loving one another, and working together with ONE MIND AND PURPOSE. Don’t be SELFISH; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others too.

YOU MUST HAVE THE SAME ATTITUDE THAT CHRIST JESUS HAD.

On that I Rest my case

God bless