Being part of a family is a wonderful thing. A family is there to laugh with you, cry with you, encourage you, defend you and help you to grow. It is often within the realm of family that we discover our strengths and see our weakness. When we come to faith in God through Christ Jesus, we become part of a family of faith, the body of Christ.
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." John 1:12-13
"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." 1 Corinthians 12:27
FELLOWSHIP is actively being part of the Body of Christ, not only attending church, but forming deep, lasting and honest relationships with other Christians. There is strength in numbers. FELLOWSHIP means that we encourage one another, along this journey of life, as we seek to live out the gospel. There is danger in trying to walk alone. If one falls, a friend walking along the same path can lend a hand to help pick him/her up.
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:23-25
When we come to faith in Christ, the Lord blesses us with many spiritual gifts that are meant for service within the Body of Christ.
FELLOWSHIP helps us to know what role our gift plays in the Body of Christ. Each part of the body, has an equally important role. FELLOWSHIP provides the soil for our gifts to grow so that they can function in the role God intended.
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10
FELLOWSHIP also means that within our family of faith, there should be a measure of accountability. There is power in FELLOWSHIP through our prayer for one another.
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16
God created us to be in FELLOWSHIP with Him, through His Son Jesus Christ. God also created us to be in fellowship with one another. We walk in obedience when we have fellowship with our christian family. Finally the foundation of FELLOWSHIP is LOVE.
"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." 1 John 4:10-11
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8
In life, we will experience many valleys, but Jesus never intended us to walk alone. How has FELLOWSHIP helped you in your christian walk? Please click on the 'comments' link to share your thoughts with the BGO family. Remember, let's FELLOWSHIP!
1 comment:
Fellowship with other believers is so important. It provides encouragement and protection, and it can be used to re-affirm our belief. I would like to use my comment to highlight the great fellowship that has been created across miles by this online group. Yes, I requested prayer a while ago, but I got caught up in dealing with my situation on my own. I realized this when I next visited BibleGroupOnline and saw the indications that prayers had been said on my behalf. I honestly believe that Matthew 18:20 (For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them - KJV) is also applicable for prayer across distance. Let us therefore continue to pray for each other, for the pulling down of strongholds, for healing, for encouragement...Let us bless the work that has been started through the BibleGroupOnline, and pray that we will all be labourers to draw the harvest in, for "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few." Matthew 9:37 KJV.
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