‘One who separates himself seeks his own desire; He quarrels against all sound wisdom. ‘ Proverbs 18:1
In the last post, we examined the importance of Christian fellowship and how, without it, we can stunt our Spiritual growth. I listed a few reasons that I hear about why people don’t engage in corporate worship. This isn’t uncommon in church history as the writer of Hebrews wrote: ‘Let’s hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. ‘ Hebrews 10:23-25
Over the years, I have experienced that when I am in fellowship with other believers, God speaks through them right to me. I may be struggling with something in my heart, and another believer will say something that addresses the very thing I am conflicted with. It amazes me how this happens.
For a personal example, I was attending a wonderful weekend retreat, one of the most profound events that I have experienced. We were tasked with reviewing a subject that had been discussed in an earlier presentation. As another group member discussed this, I felt compelled to add a point to that subject, and we sat down.
As we were about to take a break, a young man came over to me with tears in his eyes to thank me for what I had said. He told me that he’d been struggling with that all day, and the words I had added touched his heart. He said that those words helped him have a great breakthrough.
Understand, I take no credit for this as I felt urged to say it by the Holy Spirit. And I believe that God worked all that out to help this young man have a breakthrough with something he was struggling with.
Paul would write in Romans, ‘For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. ‘ Romans 1:11-12
I love this verse! It has been my experience that our faith ebbs and flows as we battle the flesh that surrounds us. And you never know when what you say will touch another person, or what someone else will say that touches you. This is the key to fellowship.
I like to say that there is someone there that needs you, and there is someone there that you need.
Let’s tackle the first excuse people use not to be in fellowship with the church: the church’s members are too judgmental.
That sounds a little judgemental to me.
Yes, some lean toward a legalistic way of thinking. Sometimes, this is also coupled with a certain level of hypocrisy because those same people seem to engage in some sort of sin that is evident in their lives.
In some cases, those who point out the sins in others’ lives use this as a cover to hide their sins. But sin is always exposed at some point. We have seen this played out by several prominent church leaders in Texas as of late.
But Jesus is consistently cleansing the church. And these things always play out this way.
The key is that there are “guilt throwers” and “guilt catchers.” To battle a “guilt thrower,” live a righteous life. Keep working on the sin in your life, laying it down at Jesus’ feet.
When God gives us the faith to believe and we willingly accept His grace through His Son, Jesus, our sins are forgiven completely—past, present, and future.
‘He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our guilty deeds. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our wrongdoings from us. ‘ Psalm 103:10-12
When Jesus said, “It is finished” on the cross, he had wholly taken the world’s sins upon Himself. The question is, will we accept this free gift of grace that He has bestowed on us? This is to be worked out between you and God. Jesus was asked about this and this was His response:
‘Therefore they said to Him, “What are we to do, so that we may accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” ‘ John 6:28-29
Don’t let those who are difficult in the church impede your Spiritual walk. Simply raise your eyes six inches above their heads, focus on the character of Christ, and keep marching forward.
Heavenly Father, please give us the strength to bestow Your grace even to those who are difficult in our church.
Let the love Christ flow over from me to those around me. Especially those who challenge me. You say what good is it to love only those who love you back. Real love includes even those who make us uneasy.
I pray for those who challenge me. Let them see You centered in my heart, and I pray that You use that to affect the hearts of those around me.
In the loving name of Jesus, the above ALL names, I pray, Amen!! 🙏🏻❤️
