Life is meant to be shared
The Bible calls this shared experience FELLOWSHIP. It includes unselfish loving, honest sharing, practical
serving, sympathetic comforting, etc. Fellowship, unlike worship, is better achieved in a smaller
group - maximum of about ten. Jesus ministered directly to twelve Disciples, He
knew that in more a larger group someone would stop participating (usually the
quietest person) and a few would dominate.
The Body of Christ is really a collection of these smaller
groups within the church - home cells (fellowships), Sunday school class, Bible
study, etc.
IN REAL FELLOWSHIP PEOPLE EXPERIENCE AUTHENTICITY
That means genuine heart to heart, gut-level sharing in
honesty and humility; instead of pretending and role-playing with superficial
politeness and shallow conversation - such attitudes are the death of real
fellowship. Real fellowship happens when people get honest about who
they are and what is happening in their lives. It requires both courage and humility; facing our fears of
exposure, rejection and being hurt again...
IN REAL FELLOWSHIP PEOPLE EXPERIENCE MUTUALITY
That is the art of giving and receiving. Mutuality is the heart of fellowship: building reciprocal
relationships, sharing responsibilities, helping each other. We are more
consistent in our faith when others walk with us. The Bible commands mutual accountability, mutual
encouragement, mutual serving and mutual honouring. (Who doesn't enjoy a bit of
recognition and appreciation now and then?)
IN REAL FELLOWSHIP PEOPLE EXPERIENCE SYMPATHY
Today some call this 'empathy', but the biblical word is 'sympathy';
which meets the human needs to be understood and having your feelings
validated. Self-pity dries up sympathy for others. Every time you understand and affirm someone's feelings, you
build fellowship. The deepest most intense level is the FELLOWSHIP OF
SUFFERING; we enter into each other's pain and grief and carry each other's
burdens.
When circumstances crush us to the point that our faith
falters, that's when we need believing friends the most.
IN REAL FELLOWSHIP PEOPLE EXPERIENCE MERCY
Fellowship is a place of grace. We all need mercy, because we all stumble and fall and
require help getting back on track. (A good friend provided me with such
impetus recently) You can't have fellowship without forgiveness - letting go
of the past. Unlike trust, which has to do with future behaviour, forgiveness
must be immediate. (Trust is rebuilt over time and requires a track record) If someone hurts you repeatedly, God commands you forgive
then instantly (very hard to do). You are not expected to trust them
immediately and you definitely are not expected to continue allowing them to
hurt you.
Let’s hope the aforesaid has made you hungry to experience
the authenticity, mutuality and mercy of real fellowship. Love you more... ~ Stafford
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