In God’s church, fellowship is the key to our witness for Jesus. Why is this? It is because, if we are not loving on and blessing those people that come to church, then they may never return. They may feel unwelcomed and not feel a desire to come back. I know how this is, especially when I was still in Mormonism. Though I know now that Mormonism is a cult, I felt very lonely as I attended, while sitting by myself and never having anyone say hi to me. This happened during my 6 month stay in Nebraska. This then led me to have hard feelings about the Mormon church and soon leave it behind, months later. Now in saying this, it was a blessing in disguise for me to not feel welcomed while I was in that false religion. However, in true Bible believing churches, this type of behavior should never be among the brothers and sisters in Christ that attend. If so, then they have no clue about what God’s church is truly like, especially since we have become God’s children and ought to love each other accordingly. For example, Paul said the following about a dear sister in the faith that needed someone to care for and uplift her. He said, 1“I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.” We ought to take what Paul said to heart, for the nourishment of those in the church.
Earlier I mentioned how important fellowship was to our witness for Christ. I say this not just for the reason that we want our brothers and sisters that attend church to feel welcome, but that if we witness for Christ we’d also want these new converts to feel welcome as well. Our seeds would truly be squashed if church goers ignored these new converts and left them alone, while doing their own thing, instead of saying hi to them and making them feel welcome. Truly a church that is on fire for the Lord is also filled with church goers who are loving on, encouraging, praying for, and doing what they can to help one another. What we need are people with eyes to see, that they may know who is new and in need of our love. Know that this love does not come from ourselves but from the Holy Spirit. So if we want to help make people feel loved, as God loves us, then seek the Lord’s guidance. With His direction in Your life, You will do a much better job in going the extra mile in meeting new people and having a real conversation with them. In Romans 16, you will notice how Paul asks us to greet the members of God’s church. He said, 1“greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus”, 1“greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us”, 1“salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners”, 1“greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.” and others. As you can see here, making time to fellowship with others is what God wants. This makes for a happy and joyful family in God. It also strengthens our own faith in Christ.
Let us pray:
Lord God, I pray that people in Your church will truly learn how to love one another. May their love for You grow beyond their own walls and into the lives of everyone they meet. As Your hands and feet, we are here to serve You and others equally. There is never to be less love for anyone in our company. This is because You are the vine and we are the branches. If we can’t get along with one another then we would not be able to fulfill Your calling in our lives and other people would suffer. So at this hour we pray that we will always abide in You and You in us. Lead us by the hand and give us boldness to speak to people. Open our mouths, that we may have meaningful conversations that are heartfelt. I know that we are incapable of loving the way we ought to, but with Your love and passion in our lives, every person that meets us will experience Your love like never before. Every ounce of fear and depression will be swept away and replaced with love and encouragement. I know God that this world would be a much better place if we started to truly live our faith out. You would be able to take us places like never before and allow us to help others in the church grow. May we always remember that every person that has faith in You is also Your child, that we may treat them this way. May kindness flow deep inside our hearts and onto every person that is in our midst. Thank You God for Your direction. Help us to always look to help others before ourselves. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Romans 16:1-16 (KJV)
1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household.
11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.
12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.
15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.
16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
