As I have expanded my study the scriptures and efforts to share the truth of God’s word more and more in my life, I start to find at times that I am content not to attend a specific weekly service in order to study God’s word. I spend hours studying during the week, I may even listen to several sermons on the radio or internet and add to that reading and researching from others who have studied the scriptures before me and left great records to help those that follow. However, studying scripture in Acts regarding the early church demonstrates that even Paul returned after his missionary journeys to report back and fellowship with the community of believers that sent him.
Paul did not act as a “lone wolf”, following God directly but distant from any personal relationship with other believers. Quite the opposite, Paul’s ministry was built on relationships which he maintained even over great distances through letters and return visits. After his missionary journeys he would return and share the fruit of their efforts with the believers who sent him.
24They passed through Pisidia and came into Pamphylia. 25When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26From there they sailed to Antioch, from which they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had accomplished. 27When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28And they spent a long time with the disciples.
Remaining connected to other followers of Christ is an essential part of our functioning as a “body” of Christ. The hand cannot very well leave the rest of the body and function properly all on its own… can it? Neither should any of us try to separate from our brothers and sisters in Christ. Instead, seek out fellowship and actively participate in a community of fellow believers in Christ. We can encourage one another and help one another in many ways.
12For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
14For the body is not one member, but many. 15If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 16And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20But now there are many members, but one body. 21And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”
Of course, being connected and active in fellowship is very different than just attending a sermon in a crowded church. Do you have regular interaction in your life with other faithful followers of Jesus? Do you discuss God’s word together and how it impacts your life? Do you share your challenges and triumphs… giving God the glory? Are you helping one another?
Take some time in prayer, not just for five minutes right now, although that is a good start. Come back to it as you come before the LORD this week in prayer. Ask God to reveal to you if there are changes you should make to go deeper in small groups in true fellowship and not just “go to church” in a crowd and call it fellowship. Just being in a building together does not help us work together to accomplish God’s will. Be careful also not to just latch on to any church body that claims to follow Yeshua. Test what they teach and their fruit against the scriptures. Try to find fellowship with people who are pursuing the right understanding and practice of God’s instructions.
Shalom
Devotion by John in service to Christ
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