Fellowship

Today's bible study topic was on the importance of fellowship with fellow christians. I was reminded today that we have been called not to give up on meeting up with one another so that we may edify and encourage one another in our walk with God.

Why is this so important? The Bible illustrates in 1 Corinthians 12 that we are all a member of the body. Some of us are the hands, some the feet, some the eyes, some the ears. Each member plays an important part in the body. Likewise, we are all a member in the body of Christ and we each play an important part in that body! Hence, it is important for us to fellowship and be in harmony with one another.

14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

And most importantly, fellow christians need to learn to deal with conflicts among one another so that we may continue to be effective for the Lord. Thankfully, the Bible gives us clear instructions of what we ought to do when we experience conflict! In 1 Peter 3:8-11, we are told to be symphatetic, loving, compassionate, humble and not to repay evil with evil, nor retaliate when insulted. Instead, we ought to repay with blessings so that we may be blessed in return! It makes perfect sense to me! This is a pretty good way of resolving conflicts! :)

1 Peter 3:8-11 (New Living Translation)

All Christians 8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. 10 For the Scriptures say,
“If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. 11 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

We can love and forgive others for their shortcomings because God first loved and forgave us when we were yet sinners. I thank God that He created human beings for the very purpose of being in fellowship with Him, and with others. He is a relational God! How cool is that?

So let us continue to love one another and be of encouragement to one another as we continue to meet and fellowship in His name!