“Fellowship”...the Wayfarer 1/14/14

“Fellowship”

1/14/14

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

(Hebrews 10:23-25)

The importance of fellowship with one another is seldom stressed as much as it should be.

Navigating the path set before us as Christians is difficult, and tiring, particularly when one attempts to do so without having the fellowship with others that allows us to lean and glean strength from our fellow sojourners.

I come into contact with many, and have in the past seen many who say that they need not attend  a church service to be a Christian…and this is indeed so.

Usually the reasoning for this is that they have, at some point been hurt in some manner by those they associated with, and have given up on all organized worship.

The problem with this, is, that they become prey to those who would destroy all remaining faith as they face the world alone against the inevitable temptation and persecution that comes throughout life.

Fellowship is far more than just attending a service with a specific group of people, who gather to worship in the same manner, chosen by the individual people in attendance.

It extends to meeting with others, getting to know them, finding what are both common ground, and differences in individual belief, accepting that each has a different and valid viewpoint on that belief in the small  things, but agree on the points that really matter.

It consists of listening, as well as speaking, learning and developing faith through the experience of the elder folks in attendance, learning how to love one another as was the commandment given by Jesus.

It also extends to knowing, without a doubt, that there are those with whom you associate that are there to give any needed assistance in time of need, spiritual, or physical, and that you may depend on them to remain constant and true friends.

In short, it becomes an extension of family. It must also be far more than the one way street, sought by far too many, which want that love from others, but fail to give it in return.

It extends beyond the walls of the church building, temple, or tabernacle in which the assembled meet, to the interaction needed to maintain that family relationship.

Family is a big word. It includes parents, children, brothers and sisters…then must also be included the extended family of uncles, aunts, cousins and the derivatives that reach a bit farther away, but are still an important part of maintaining a family.

The parent of the Church is none less than God himself, and is of course the protector and advisor most needed.

Next in line is a compassionate, and hopefully knowledgeable pastor, who takes the time to know  the members of his congregation, their needs, their troubles, their joys and victories,  that are experienced, and is willing to share both, willing to assure that if one of the flock is ill, that comfort is given, if in financial trouble, assistance is offered to the extent possible, when crisis of faith occurs, as it must, that the answers are readily available to assuage fears and doubts  of those he serves.

Then comes the actual meat  of any church, the brothers and sisters who are also there in times of joy, or of sorrow, need, and plenty, willing to share in both, and assist each other in any way needed as we journey down the same path.

They must stand alongside that pastor, assist him with his function, keeping him informed of needs, and more importantly assisting him in the fulfillment of those needs.

They must be there alongside him to welcome any newcomers, and do all that is required to bring them into the family so that it grows, and is sustained as age takes its toll on those who are working the fields.

The younger ones are there to learn from the older ones, and to give them the help needed, just as children should be there for the parents as they age.

As in any family, there will come times that chastisement is in order, and as should be done in any family, it should be given in a loving and caring manner, showing the offender, first where the offence has occurred, and then how to correct that offence. And as in a family, that correction should remain in private, not publicly displayed to humiliate, and drive the offender from what should be the intended love of  those making any correction.

On to the cousins, second cousins, and extended family.

If we are members of the body of Christ, we must honor those who worship in Spirit and in Truth who also meet  to worship in a different manner than those closest to us, but have the same core beliefs and adhere to Christ as Lord and sole Savior  for all denominations of faith, not just one single small group with which we associate.

We need to assemble together with them as well to let them know that all the body of Christ is One Church ,  if they truly believe and follow His teachings and tenets, even if there are minor differences in concept between us.

Just as family reunions are held, in some families, regularly, so should the family of Christ gather in prayer for the whole body regularly.

The points of agreement far outweigh the differences in denomination in the face of the evil that surrounds us daily from those who do not believe, and would attempt to destroy our belief and faith!

Yes, there are apostates, who reach for the blessings and the love, and refuse to accept the warnings, chastisement, and rebuke that come with the love given by our Lord.

These too must be invited to the reunion so that they can see the true faith and true belief that is required to actually be a part of the family.

As long as they remain isolated, and refuse to participate in the function of that family, they will necessarily remain apostate, probably believing that the path they have chosen is a righteous one, never being exposed to the true body of Christ.

Again, any correction made to these who actually do participate, must be done with the love of Christ, in a loving, tender, manner, not in an angry and accusatory manner alone.

In summation, Fellowship is sharing! It is a sharing of faith, a sharing of strength, a sharing of the Grace that has been delivered to us, and when truly sought and given, can only strengthen faith and belief among those of the family of Christ!

That fellowship is more necessary today than ever before.

The last phrase of the opening verses tells us that we need each other all the more as the day approaches for God to decide enough is enough.

As we continue into this time of the beginnings of sorrows, spoken of by Jesus, we do so in full knowledge that the tribulations will only grow worse, and that without our faith and belief many will fail the test of the required endurance demanded of us.

If we are indeed to endure, we must do so together as a whole body, not as individually amputated parts of that body!

If we become amputated, as with any human body part, that part will die.

All our parts are needed, all our gifts are needed, all our love for each other and for Christ is needed, and all our common prayer is needed.

Most important of all remains fellowship with Christ Jesus!

His blood, His sacrifice, His resurrection, His warning and His promise are central to that  fellowship, and if left out, is cause to seek that fellowship only with those who include HIM!

I close once again with the love of my savior for all my brethren and sisters, no matter which denomination they may embrace so long as they also embrace my Lord and his requirement to :

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

Those who have found redemption through repentance are indeed a part of the family, and deserve both my service, and my love. For them, and for those still seeking that redemption, I remain that same servant called to render that service, a simple sinner saved by grace through faith in my Lord, Jesus, and still the soldier in His service in the defense of that faith.

2 Timothy 1:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Amen and Amen.
the Wayfarer