The need for fellowship

People are created by God for relationship. When God said, “It is not good that man should be alone” (Genesis 2:18), Adam already had a wonderful fellowship with the Heavenly Father. But God does not want us to live like monks, doing nothing but talking with Him. God wants us to have wonderful relationships with […]

People are created by God for relationship. When God said, “It is not good that man should be alone” (Genesis 2:18), Adam already had a wonderful fellowship with the Heavenly Father. But God does not want us to live like monks, doing nothing but talking with Him. God wants us to have wonderful relationships with people, especially His people. His plans for us can only be fulfilled as we learn to relate correctly both with our brothers and sisters in Christ and also with those who, because of ignorance or rebellion, are still outside the family of God.
To be lonely and isolated is not God’s will. “God sets the solitary in families.” (Psalm 68:6). The natural family is God’s idea. (Colossians 3:18- 21). However, many families don’t express the love God intended. God’s plan is to put us immediately into a wonderful family – His family – the moment we turn from our sin to Christ. Here are some major motives for entering seriously into committed relationships with real Christians (those who are trusting Christ and turning from sin).
1. The people you choose to associate with affect your destiny. “He that walketh with wise [men] shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed [broken].” (Proverbs 13:20)
“Do not be deceived: evil company corrupts good habits (morals).” (1Corinthians 15:33). Your destiny is determined by your character, and your character is affected by those you choose to keep company with. By spending quality time with people who love and obey God and follow His Word, you will become wise yourself and make right decisions. By refusing this, you choose to be with rebels and rebellion will enter you. This rebellion separates from God and destroys spiritual life.
It is important to be involved in a church where the leadership seeks holiness. Even if some have the form of godliness or right doctrine, they are not good leaders if they have no hunger for righteousness in heart and life.
2. God has planned for you to receive love and encouragement from His family on earth. Real Christians walk in love. “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35). “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1John 4:8).
God’s family is a family of love. But you must be open to receive that love. “You also be open” (2Corinthians 6:13). We all need encouragement and care at times. God will often provide this through His people. He told us to do it for others too.
3. God wants you to learn to give love and encouragement to your brothers and sisters in Christ. “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” (1John 4:7). “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1Thessalonians 5:11).
Other Christians will need your help. Even by being faithful to the church you will encourage the rest of the church and also the leadership. God wants you to help and encourage those around you in the church according to your ability and call.
4. You can learn wisdom from more mature Christians by being with them. “He who walks with wise men will be wise” (Proverbs13:20). By having fellowship with more mature Christians you will grow in love, faith, wisdom and holiness.
5. You can be built up in faith by hearing the preaching of anointed ministers of Christ. Faith comes by hearing. (Romans 10:17). The preaching of the Word should build up your faith and confidence in the promises of God.
6. If you remain in a church where the people don’t listen to the Word of God and obey it, their example and their teaching will lead you to hell. Paul instructed Timothy as follows: “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings” (2Timothy 4:2,3). Note also that Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21). “Let them [the Pharisees] alone: they are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leadeth the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” (Matthew 15:14)
7. God wants you to serve Him effectively. You can’t do it without co-operating with other Christians. God has made us the body of Christ, and members individually. (1Corinthians 12:27). And just as a hand disconnected from the body cannot fulfil the purpose of the head, neither can you if you are not in right relationship with Christ’s body – the people of God. Common sense tells us that without co-operation great things touching many people cannot be achieved.
8. When you repent and receive Christ by faith as Lord you are summoned into the body of Christ. You have a part to play in Christ’s body. Your gifts and talents complement those of others. Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-28.
9. You cannot fulfill the commands of Christ and of the apostles without entering into fellowship. How can you love one another, encourage one another, admonish or counsel one another, serve one another if you are never with “one another”. These commandments were given to churches. Read Romans 12:10; Romans 15:14; Ephesians 4:32; 1 Thessalonians 5:11 as examples of some of these important commands and ask the Holy Spirit to show you what it means for you.
10. God commands you to come to attend church gatherings regularly. “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much more as you see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25). See also Hebrews 3:13. We must exhort one another daily. 
Find a good church and commit to fellowship. The blessing of God will overflow upon your life.
Olowojoba is the General Overseer of Dayspring Bible Church Worldwide with HQ in Abuja, Nigeria & President, Dayspring Christian Ministries Int’l.
www.dayspringcmi.org
e.mail:[email protected]
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