True Fellowship

"Fellowship? I get fellowship all the time."
So often we get so caught up with busyness that we have no time for fellowship. Now you may be thinking that you get tons of fellowship, because you go to church on Sunday, then you have a home school group to go to on Monday and a Bible study on Tuesday and basketball practice on Wednesday etc. and of course you talk to tons of people at each of these occasions (that was just an example). Sure you may have time to talk to your friends at the places you go to each week, but I’m not talking about that kind of fellowship. I’m talking about Biblical fellowship, relaxing fellowship, fellowship where you really get to know someone better, fellowship with the body of Christ where you can encourage and build each other up.
We as believers in Christ need to be encouraging each other in our walk with God.
“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14
“Imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.” 2 Corinthians 8:4
We should be comforting each other.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“That there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it;...” 1 Corinthians 12:25-26
We should be rejoicing with each other.
“…or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” 1 Corinthians 12:26
We should love one another.
“Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” Romans 13:10.
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7.
“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,” 1 Thessalonians 1:3
We should be serving each other.
“For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13
We should help each other and give to each other.
“Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,” 1 Timothy 6:18
“That in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.” 2 Corinthians 8:2-4
The Bible tells us in so many places to encourage, help, love, comfort each other etc., yet how do we do that if we aren’t having fellowship with each other. How do we do it if our lives are so busy that we don’t have time to invite a family over, cook a meal for a new mother, help an elderly couple with some of there yard work, comfort or rejoice with a friend, build family relationships (Spending time with your family is also very important fellowship), give to a needy family and so much more.
Therefore, I think it is time that we slow down. Don’t try to put so many things into your schedule that you have no room for real Biblical fellowship. Make sure that you leave room in your schedule to invite families over, go have a cup of coffee (or tea or hot chocolate, or water if you would rather) with a friend, help a needy neighbor, or just spend time with your family.
My final word is to relax, don’t rush, and let us build each other up in love. God bless you!

“But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:7-11

Note: to any that have read to the end, please leave a comment and let me know what you think about this particular topic and what I wrote. Thank you very much!

Comments

  1. Thats a very good reminder, Hannah. I must say that when I read the first part, I said to myself... yea, I definatly have enough fellowship. But as I read through the bible verses, I realized I dont do much.
    Some things I could do to improve my fellowshipping would probably be, try to talk to my friends more about God and our problems so that we can build each other up, talking to my mum, and if I could help someone who is struggling at the moment that would be great. (I am not sure who, but I pray the Lord will show me.)

    Thanks Hannah, this is a great topic.
    ~ Meggie

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Meggie,
    I'm glad that what I wrote was helpful for you.
    God bless you!

    ~Hannah~

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey Hannah!
    Ok, so this really is important, to fellowship with one another so that we can build each other up. I had really forgotten the importance of that. I agree that we have too much hectic things in our lives and not enough time to fellowship. I have been in a sad mood at school lately because I am burnt out, but today I tried to be happier and talk to more people and guess what? I felt so much better and happier. God created us to fellowship and encourage one another, so the more we do that , the happier we and others will be.
    Thanks for your sweet friendship and words of wisdom!
    Michaela

    ReplyDelete
  4. Michaela,
    I am glad you were encouraged by what I wrote and thanks for sharing that testimony.
    Thank you for your friendship, as well.
    God bless you!

    Your Friend,
    Hannah

    ReplyDelete

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