Fellowship with other Christians

The definition of a team is working together to achieve a common goal. Fellowship in Christ is the ultimate act of achievement with eternal rewards.

Reading the Bible, a quite prayer, growing in faith and worshiping God do not require anyone but the individual. We can have a relationship with God alone on an island or by ourselves in the middle of a large city. On the other hand, fellowship with other Christians can bring countless benefits and rewarding experiences.

When we communicate with other Christians, we have the opportunity to learn new ideas and gain new perspectives about God, the Bible and life in general. Christian fellowship is mutually beneficial to all involved.

“That is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.”

- Romans 1:12

Fellow Christians are good influences morally and socially for each other in a world that can bring trouble and even danger in countless ways. When we make bad decisions, a fellow Christian can bring the best advice. On the occasions when we are surrounded by bad influences and counter-productive options in life, Christians can help direct us away from mistakes and unforeseen pitfalls.

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” - Proverbs 27:17

In difficult times, life can bring unexpected crisis and obstacles that can seem insurmountable. There may be periods during our lives when there doesn't seem to be any purpose or reason. Sometimes finding God’s plan for our lives can seem like a mystery. This is when encouragement or advice from a fellow believer at an opportune moment can often make a decisive difference.

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

- 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Life will provide challenges that we may not be able to overcome by ourselves, or at least as easily without the aid of others. Fellowship and help from other Christians can give us the strength to overcome a wide range of issues throughout life. From addictions to personal relationships, from financial problems to career decisions, good advice from an honest Christian friend can make the difference between success and disaster.

“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” - Galatians 6:2

During the periods in life when we do hit rock-bottom, our Christian friends can be there to help pick up the pieces because the message of Christ is based on loving one another as ourselves.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.

For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls

and has not another to lift him up!” - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Christian fellowship will also help to understand and reinforce God's Word found in the Bible. Everyone has their own perspective about the scriptures they read and when we communicate our separate views and interpretations we discover God’s word in ways that we could not perceive from our own singular perspective.

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” - Matthew 18:20

When Christians congregate, the Lord’s presence increases and the Holy Spirit’s influence can be amplified. Known as the day of Pentecost, this actuality is exemplified in a miraculous event that occurred a few weeks after Christ’s resurrection. In chapter 2 of the book of Acts it says:

"When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:1-4

God Provides the Yoke

The word 'yoke' has great significance in the Bible. Yoke is defined as: a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two similar animals and attached to a plow or cart that they are intended to pull. By working together in tandem the two can create exponential power and accomplish greater works than working individually.

Being yoked with God can provide direction, greater purpose and peace throughout our lives as Christ proclaims in the verse below.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me,

for I am gentle and lowly in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls."

- Matthew 11:28-29 (ESV)

Being yoked with other Christians who have a common belief in mind, heart and mission will amplify divine guidance and missionary results while providing, peace and security.

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.

For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness?

Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

- 2 Corinthians 6:14 (ESV)

HALT – When were Hungry, Angry, Lonely & Tired, we are most vulnerable to fall into temptation.

God can often use events and emergencies to get our attention, motivate us to seek Him and/or into a much-needed action. In times of crisis or confusion. when there appears to be no obvious solution for our problems, will you be yoked with those who can provide the kind of support that is in your best interest in relation to God and His plan for your life?

Why Church is So Important

One of the amazing aspects among the members of the typical church is that it brings a wide variety of believers together in the name of Christ that would normally never associate. Most churches are made up of a combination of individuals across the societal spectrum in regard to age, occupation, social status, spiritual experience and education. It is this diversity that creates a strength in with spiritual growth, doing the Lord's work as a greater team in helping each other and the greater community. When people gather and work in large numbers for a cause, amazing accomplishments can occur with-in a local community, a nation or on a global scale. Examples often include outreach in poor neighborhoods, helping other regions of a country recover from a natural disaster, or ministry work overseas. I know several churches that are involved in international outreach that includes digging wells for clean water, building community centers and paying debts for those in slavery in places like Africa and Asia.

Christian fellowship for children and young adults can be crucial for the development of character and divine guidance from the scriptures. This growth can also include better communication and social skills, as well as occupational planning for the fulfillment of goals later on in life.

When I was a child, I was very fortunate to have loving parents that took me to church on a regular basis. And like most kids at a young age, I often took fellowship and various church experiences for granted. But as I started to get older, I grew to enjoy and appreciate what church offered me as an individual. When I became an adult, I fully understood and appreciated the many blessings I had received that gave me the everlasting foundation, fortitude, patience and commitment to develop into the person that I am today, let alone the eternal salvation from accepting Christ as my savior.

I vividly remember all of the relationship building experiences, the spiritual growth, and the fun I had with the many friends who were reliable and honest. I realized that I learned how to act and respond in a myriad of situations. Various elders taught me countless lessons just like a loving parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle would have done. I now realize that all of these various experiences and accomplishments brought enjoyment and satisfaction to these elders too, as I represented a child, grandchild or nephew to them.

In the book of Matthew Jesus once said:

“For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

- Matthew 12:50

As I grew in understanding, I realized that I became a brother, a cousin and eventually an uncle or a parent-like figure to those in need that were younger than I. Not only do I appreciate the role models that influenced me as I grew up, but I also became a role model to others young and old.

This realization became one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. Without this fellowship from growing up and belonging to a church, my life would simply not be the same. When I look back at my childhood, I am extremely grateful that my parents required that I go to church when I was young. They set the ultimate example for me!

The apostle Paul also said:

“Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father,

younger men as brothers, older women as mothers,

younger women as sisters, in all purity.” - 1 Timothy 5:1-2

In reflecting from my own personal experiences, I understand that Christians are united in a bond that is enabled by God’s grace. As the Bible says we are all brothers and sisters in Christ and with guidance from the Holy Spirit, it allows us to see life in a similar frame of mind. This unbreakable bond on a personal level is nothing short of miraculous and beyond words!

Today, I truly understand that fellowship with other Christians is a privilege. It pains me to think that many souls will unfortunately never experience this reality. Whether you spend time in fellowship with Christian friends, a Bible study group or a church congregation, the experiences, rewards and benefits are undeniable. In time one will realize they are a better person from the relationships that were acquired, wisdom that was gained and the lessons that were learned from our interactions with fellow believers. Most importantly, our Christian fellowship teaches us about the true art of loving one another for the glory of God.

The Bible refers to this form of love as being perfected. Perfected love is the love of God expressing itself in our love for each other.

If we love God and those around us, we will surely want to make a public profession of our faith. The best way to do this is through the symbolic act of Baptism.

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