Fellowship
"And let us consider
one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the
assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one
another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (Hebrews
10:24‑25).
There is a tendency in each
of us to stray from the path, to grow cold in heart and spirit, to become
enamored by those things that dampen our fervor and affection for Christ. One
of the antidotes for error and apostasy is the loving concern of fellow believers.
Done in the right way, under
the guidance of the Spirit of God, this can be a powerful means of helping each
other stay on the right track. But there are problems. All too often if a
brother comes to me and gives me a word of admonition, warning, or advice, my
first tendency is to bristle.
I say to myself, "Who
does he think he is? He's not perfect. What right does he have to talk to me
like that?" So, for this vital Bible verse to be effective in our lives, the
first thing we need is a spirit of humility.
The other problem of course,
is on the opposite side of the coin. If I go to a brother with a prideful,
overbearing attitude, giving the impression of a know‑it‑all, I am
most likely to be resisted and rebuffed.
Therefore, humility (the
queen of virtues) once again proves to be the central need for true Christian
ministry, growth and fellowship. If a humble, loving person goes to another
humble and loving person with a word of exhortation or advice, there will be
eternal work done by the Holy Spirit of God.
But if a high‑minded,
haughty person goes to another high‑minded, haughty individual with a
word of exhortation or advice, the sparks will fly, the fellowship will be
shattered, and the devil will have gained another victory. The person will not
be provoked to love and good works, but to anger.
Frankly, I have found that a
good example is one of the best and most effective means of prompting love and
good works in others. Our words may provoke a retaliation, but our example is
likely to challenge another to greater love and service far Christ.
It seems that even during
the Apostles' times, there were those who neglected the fellowship of
believers. They were failing to gather for the worship of God and the mutual
edification that always results. So the writer encourages them to join heart
and hand; to not forsake the assembling of themselves together. Our faith and
obedience can be stimulated by fellowship with other believers, as theirs can
by fellowship with us.
For some time I worked in a
bakery. Often we would receive orders for chocolate donuts. I would take great
chunks of chocolate and put them in a large pan. Then I would heat it gradually
and soon the chunks of chocolate would begin to melt and merge with each other.
This is a picture of church
fellowship. We can be like chunks of chocolate; all gathered together in the
same church, but true fellowship begins when the Spirit of God warms our hearts
and we become one.
Jesus prayed, "That
they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also
may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me" (John
17:21).
This vital Bible verse is
just one of 60 carefully selected scriptures that are contained in the Navigators
Scripture Memory course. If you want to memorize
Scripture, but aren't sure what to memorize or how to get started, this is
exactly what you need. The Topical Memory
System includes memory verse cards in four
different Bible versions - NIV, KJV, NASB, NKJV. Topics include all of the
basics of the Christ-centered Spirit-filled life, sharing your faith, and
growing on to maturity in your walk with God. May God bless you as you
fill your life with His Word.
© Copyright 2002, LeRoy Eims