WHAT'S NEXT? Chapter 4 - Belong To A Fellowship

                            Chapter 4 -  Belong To A Fellowship


      A Christian is not meant to be a loner or live on an island. Remember what we talked about in Chapter 1 - when you are saved you belong to a new family. God is your father and all believers are brothers and sisters in Christ. People that would never hang out together - brain surgeons and car salesmen, blacks and whites, jocks and musicians, millionaires and middle class suddenly have something in common that transcends all differences. Have you ever seen a family that doesn't hang out together? I'm sure you have. That is not a healthy family. That family is estranged because of conflict. How much worse when the world sees a family of believers that doesn't get along or a Christian who doesn't go to Church because they don't get along with other Christians. Jesus said that the opposite is true that when the world sees our inexplicable love that transcends all boundaries, they will know we belong to Christ.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34,35

          Not only do we commit to a fellowship to show to the world that Christianity is real and show them the love that Christ puts inside us for others, but we commit because it helps us to grow. Remember the parable of the soils? The weeds in our life that are keeping the Holy Spirit from growing us into the image of Christ, we are often oblivious to. Guess what - they are plain as day to others around us. As we become part of the body, others speak into our lives and help us pull those weeds. The weeds I'm talking about might be pride, ambition, selfishness, greed, entertainment or music that is making us think like the world thinks - it could be any number of things.

"As iron sharpens iron,
    so one person sharpens another. " Prov. 27:17

       Hanging out with other Christians or "doing life" with them will help transform your mind. The world thinks one way  and Christians think another. Unbelievers only think about this present world whereas Christians see everything that we do in this present world has eternal implications. It's very easy to forget that you now belong to a different kingdom when all you see is the earthly kingdom. It is so beneficial to be with like minded people to help direct your thinking. Plus it is so much fun to hang out with people who value the same things you do. If you are down and depressed it may be because you are isolating yourself.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another" Heb 10:23-25

            So join the church that you are attending and join a Sunday School class or home group that meets during the week - different churches will offer different options. This is a new family for you who will gladly welcome you and not just help you spiritually but also help you through tough times in life and you may be able to do the same for them.