Thread count- The number of horizontal and vertical threads in one square inch of fabric.
I did some research this week and found out that thread count in sheets can range from 80-700, although most stores sell sheets that range from 180 to 320. Many linen manufacturers tout that the thread count is the best way to choose a sheet. Generally, the higher the thread count, the softer the fabric feels. In other words, the tighter the threads are woven together, the better the sheets feel.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean the sheets will last longer. In fact, many experts point out that the quality of the fibers and finish are more important to the sheet’s comfort and durability than thread count alone.
Now why in the world you might ask am I writing about sheets? Well, they are a great illustration of the concept of true and authentic community, which is what Paul writes to us about in the third chapter of Colossians.
11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:12-17)
Notice that Colossians 3:11 says, “Here there is no Greek, or Jew, circumcised, or uncircumcised, Barbarian, Scythian, slave or free. BUT CHRIST IS ALL AND IS IN ALL. In God’s economy, there is no division of the elect. Just like Father, Son and Holy Spirit, there is Perfect Unity!
From a distance, we don’t really see the individual thread counts in sheets. From a distance, sheets look like, well sheets. But yet, when we examine them a little further, we will begin to see the individual threads.
What might we see if we looked at these sheets through a magnifying glass?
What might we see if we looked at these sheets through a microscope?
With the magnifying glass, we would begin to see that these sheets were made up of different threads woven together in different ways. We might even be able to count the threads in one square inch. With the microscope, we might even be able to tell the kinds of fibers and finish that make up the thread which ultimately could tell us what kind of quality these sheets have.
What do people (especially non-believers) see when they closely examine our Biblical communities: our churches, our small groups our Sunday school classes, our home groups?
From a distance, they might look really good, really holy, really together, really tight. Even with a magnifying glass, someone might conclude that the group is a unified community, a family made up of different threads that love and care for one another. In essence, the group might look like they have a very high thread count. But in reality, when you took the microscope to the task of examining the community, you might find that the community really has no unity at all. You might discover (as some experts tell us) that while the thread count (the tightness of the weave) is high, the quality of the fibers and the finish is lacking.
Indeed thread counts can make the sheets and clothes comfortable, soft and warm. Closeness in community can do the same. But the real question is how durable are the clothes? How durable is the community? And is it built on the PERFECT UNITY of Christ?
I did some research this week and found out that thread count in sheets can range from 80-700, although most stores sell sheets that range from 180 to 320. Many linen manufacturers tout that the thread count is the best way to choose a sheet. Generally, the higher the thread count, the softer the fabric feels. In other words, the tighter the threads are woven together, the better the sheets feel.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean the sheets will last longer. In fact, many experts point out that the quality of the fibers and finish are more important to the sheet’s comfort and durability than thread count alone.
Now why in the world you might ask am I writing about sheets? Well, they are a great illustration of the concept of true and authentic community, which is what Paul writes to us about in the third chapter of Colossians.
11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:12-17)
Notice that Colossians 3:11 says, “Here there is no Greek, or Jew, circumcised, or uncircumcised, Barbarian, Scythian, slave or free. BUT CHRIST IS ALL AND IS IN ALL. In God’s economy, there is no division of the elect. Just like Father, Son and Holy Spirit, there is Perfect Unity!
From a distance, we don’t really see the individual thread counts in sheets. From a distance, sheets look like, well sheets. But yet, when we examine them a little further, we will begin to see the individual threads.
What might we see if we looked at these sheets through a magnifying glass?
What might we see if we looked at these sheets through a microscope?
With the magnifying glass, we would begin to see that these sheets were made up of different threads woven together in different ways. We might even be able to count the threads in one square inch. With the microscope, we might even be able to tell the kinds of fibers and finish that make up the thread which ultimately could tell us what kind of quality these sheets have.
What do people (especially non-believers) see when they closely examine our Biblical communities: our churches, our small groups our Sunday school classes, our home groups?
From a distance, they might look really good, really holy, really together, really tight. Even with a magnifying glass, someone might conclude that the group is a unified community, a family made up of different threads that love and care for one another. In essence, the group might look like they have a very high thread count. But in reality, when you took the microscope to the task of examining the community, you might find that the community really has no unity at all. You might discover (as some experts tell us) that while the thread count (the tightness of the weave) is high, the quality of the fibers and the finish is lacking.
Indeed thread counts can make the sheets and clothes comfortable, soft and warm. Closeness in community can do the same. But the real question is how durable are the clothes? How durable is the community? And is it built on the PERFECT UNITY of Christ?
