Fellowship

Today...I want to talk about Fellowship instead of doing my usual devo. I was at Through the Roof (my Bible study) tonight when it just hit me of what a gift our fellowship with each other truly is. There is something freeing being called out on something, more so when that something is positive, but also when you are held accountable as well. There is something so beautiful about being encouraged, affirmed, and encouraging and affirming others. As humans, we are highly sociable creatures. And so, it would follow that as Christians we should maintain a highly sociable relationship with each other as well. The other day I read somewhere (or heard, I can't remember which) the debate that being religious "hermit" actually breaks down your relationship with God, and prevents full maturity. And I agree with that statement. Oh, sure, if I was marooned in a self sustaining cave all by myself I'm sure my relationship with God with grow tremendously (or I would go crazy, one of those), but I also know that the fullness of Christianity comes into being when we have fellowship. We need a relationship with others so that we can live out the meaning of having the "Christian life."

Right now I'm talking about fellowship with other Christians, those who will be able to stretch you, to make you grow, to push you. (Fellowship with non-Christians is another topic that I can touch on later). I know a lot of Christians who don't go to church because they don't like it, or have had bad experiences with members in the past. "I read my Bible at home sometimes. I'm pretty spiritual. I don't need church. All the people I go to church with are hypocritical anyways." This saddens me for three reasons. One, they are missing out on incredible opportunities to meet others with common goals who can mentor them, help them grow, hold them accountable and build deep trusting relationships with. Two, church has a reason, and it's not just to hear the pastor speak for forty-five minutes, sing a little, eat a little, and then go home. If that is how you view church, then you are missing so much. Church is about fellowship, it is about growing in your faith alone, and with each other. It's also about keeping you on track, helping you see the goal to the prize. Over the years I've seen a lot of Christians who refuse to go to church get misled. They either quickly fall away from God, and from His desires, or they begin to twist meanings of passages in the Bible. Oh, yes, you should read your Bible, you should meditate on the word, but if you start to get off track, fellowship with other members reminds you what you should be setting your eyes on. Shying away from church altogether because of a painful experience is detrimental to your own relationship with God.

Three: I am so pained by the fact that as a church, as a fellowship and as a community, we are giving the world a face of hypocrisy. Has it really come down to people shying away from the church because they know they should be experiencing one thing, but instead are met with cliques, backstabbing and the complete opposite of everything you would call love and fellowship? We, the church, exist to show community to the world. Church was never meant to be painful, it was meant to be a haven away from the pain of the world, a congregation of believers with the same goal, the same beliefs. We are supposed to find fellowship with one another, to build each other up. That's the beauty of church. Not to be preached at. Not to sing. Not to eat a little wafer and drink a little juice. Those are all important components of church, each very important in their own way (I'm not trying to diminish a pastor's teaching, worship or communion in any way), but what it boils down to is fellowship, companionship, community. Those are the things which make "church" worthwhile. What are we doing to be hypocritical and how do we fix it? How do we show the world that there is nothing better than to enter into a place where you won't be judged, where you will be loved, truly loved for who you are, a place where you will be encouraged, affirmed, and yes, held accountable. As a church, we are meant to be one, "in unity," as "shinning stars." So, are we showing that to the world? Or are we presenting a very different and much darker picture? Fellowship with each other, community with each other, is one of God's greatest gifts to us, I think. He gives Himself to us, fully, unequivocally, completely, so that we will never be without a source of strength, so that we can rest in His grace, but He also has provided a community for us to rely on, to physically build us up, challenge us. We will grow in our own faith when we have a good base of fellowship with each other. It is a beautiful thing, and it is one of the ways that Christ shows Himself to us.

So tonight, I am thinking of fellowship, of community, and I am overjoyed at how blessed I am. Fellowship with one another is so incredible, and I am so glad that God created us as social creatures who desperately need contact with one another, because I think that being able to make it completely on your own, to be completely self-sufficient physically, emotionally and mentally, would be a very lonely life indeed.


"Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism; on God and Father of all, who is over all and through all in all."
--Ephesians 4:2-6


"You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 'In your anger, do not sin.' Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
--Ephesians 4:20-5:2