The Right Fellowship
In my book, I mentioned that I stopped attending church and why, but some readers have tried to use this fact to discredit me and the book, implying that I’ve forsaken the fellowship of the saints (Heb 10:24-25), therefore I can’t talk about faith and be taken seriously. As always, these people have read the Faith Book and don’t want to accept the truth about faith and so they reject the teachings of Jesus by making up false claims about me to try and discredit the truth. It makes no sense, but it’s their way of trying to bury the truth.
I always take them back to the focus of the book (which is not me) but having proper faith in Jesus Christ, and, if in fact, they are obeying God, according to his standards. I usually don’t hear back from them after that point. First of all, I do fellowship with other saints; and just because I don’t attend a church building doesn’t mean I’m not apart of the Body. Anyone who follows Jesus Christ is apart of his Body. Church membership or attendance doesn’t make it so – there are many who attend a building, but have yet to follow Christ.
Christians Need Fellowship
I want to take this opportunity to discuss what fellowship is and why it is so important to be with the right fellowship. The Word says:
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:23-25).
Among other things, we need fellowship for keeping the faith and holding on to what we believe. Fellowship exhorts us (often involves correction) and keeps us on the right track. It helps us stir up good works and love. By ourselves, it is very difficult and is not what God wants. No one has to be alone in this race and war. With the help of God, you must find the right fellowship.
Fellows In A Ship
Fellowship comes from two words: a group of fellows (men) in a ship (boat) rowing to one destination. Notice the reason for fellowship, when it relates to Christ in verse 24: for exhortation, love and good works. Are you involved in good works? Are you being loved according to the scriptures (1 Cor 13:4-7) and can you correct one another without being scoffed at (Proverbs 9:7-8) ? If not, you may be in the wrong fellowship.
In the book, I mentioned the lack of love, the blatant sin, and the unrighteousness I’ve seen in Christianity. They made it clear that they weren’t simply making mistakes, but deliberately living in sin – they weren’t trying to change – they didn’t respect God’s commands – they didn’t love God. Sadly, most of them are deceived.
Unfortunately this is a large fellowship. These people are row-row rowing their boat, gently down the stream… to hell (if they don’t repent). My destination is one of heaven by following the commandments of Jesus. I’m in a different boat on a different destination. So this is my response to all those puesdo Christians: “Quit telling me I should be in fellowship with you when you’re going in the wrong direction!”
Discerning Their Destination
We are not in the same boat if you continue to think that you can work your way into heaven. We are not in the same boat if you think you are eternally secure, or that you will automatically persevere to the end as one of the unconditionally elected (all of which come from a misunderstanding of faith, which I deal with in the book).
We are not in the same boat if you continue to lie, gossip, fornicate, demean, be disrespectful and unkind. Some of which may happen among loving brothers and sisters who fellowship with Jesus Christ – but the issue to discern is: did the person make a mistake? Are they really trying to change or was this another sign that they don’t want to follow God and keep his commandments?
There’s a difference between a person who makes a mistake, but wanted to do the right thing, and a person who did the wrong thing and shifts the blame, can’t take responsibility and continues to portray the same behavior. Those who run from correction, and continue in sin are not people who I fellowship with and nor should you. Jesus said you will know them by their fruit (Matthew 7:16).
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Thank you for this word Neal. It is a word in season to me right now. See how the Lord can use the pain you went through to guide and encourage others who are now treading this path.
Praise God.
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Bless you Deborah, I’m glad that this word is helping you.
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I love this! I need to say that I have no godly friends in my life and never really did. I am single and have 2 wonderful children but I do need godly fellowship but every ‘christian’ and church i went to in 10 years have closed their doors on me and wanted nothing to do with me. I have prayed hard about this. What can I do?
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Hi Beth. First, what you should do is get rid of any ungodly friends as James 4:4 suggests. Hanging with the world will block your relationship with God and any real and godly fellowships he has for you. After this, you may find yourself alone and the only friend you have is God. This is painful but normal for a season as this time is allotted for you to build a firm foundation, root and connection to him. After that is done, you will be free to fellowship with people he chooses for you. This is where I’m at currently, but I know that as I become firmly rooted in him, he’ll show me where the true fellowships are. I hope this helps.
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