Marks of a Christ Follower: Fellowship

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to the prayers. 

Acts 2:42 (HCSB) 

Another mark of a Christ Follower is that they were devoted to fellowship.  A true Christ follower will be devoted to biblical fellowship.  Biblical fellowship is more than just eating a meal together.  It is coming together spiritually and emotionally.  And yes for those who may be asking, you really do need to be part of a church for true fellowship.  Let me explain.  I believe it is Pastor Rick Warren who suggest that there are over 50 commands in the New Testament that we cannot obey without being connected in a local body (church).  The word church in the Greek is ekklesia.  It means literially, "the called out ones."  So yes you must be a part of a local body (church) for true biblical fellowship, but a church does not mean you have to go to a building with a steeple or committees or budgets etc. . . but where the body of Christ join together to further His Kingdom until He returns.

So that begs the question, what is fellowship that will occur as we gather together?  Well there are at least 3 aspects of fellowship.

1. Encouragement.  In fellowship we need to encourage one another.  It is in the body of Christ that we should encounter people who will encourage us through difficult times.  They should encourage us to remain steadfast in making hard decisions.
2. Care and Support.  Another word for this is love.  Fellowship means loving relationships and developing lasting friendships.  It is in the body of Christ that we should find others who love us, care for us and support us through challenging moments.
3. Accountability.  We need to hold one another accountable.  That means when we see a brother fall or who is teetering about to fall, we step in.  Not to be mean spirited, critical or legalistic but to hold a brother or sister up.  To help them avoid sin.  Sometimes it is asking another person to check up on us in some of those areas that we know we struggle with.  It means we are involved in one another's life.  If the only time you are communicating with others in the body is on Sunday morning you are experiencing little fellowship.  

I hope you find these in your fellowship with other Christ followers.

Standing Together

When Joab saw that there was a battle line in front of him and another behind him, he chose some men out of all the elite troops of Israel and lined up in battle formation to engage the Arameans. 10 He placed the rest of the forces under the command of his brother Abishai who lined up in battle formation to engage the Ammonites.11 “If the Arameans are too strong for me,” Joab said, “then you will be my help. However, if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I’ll come to help you.

2 Sam 10:9-11 (HCSB)

Have you ever felt outnumbered? Joab did. He saw his enemies lining up in front and in back. He called upon his brother Abishai to help and they devised a plan. I think that plan leads us to some important spiritual truths.

We may not have actual physical enemies lining up against us but there certainly are spiritual one. What can we do when we are overwhelmed by temptation, culture and this world. We turn to our brothers. Spiritual brothers who will stand with us. There is nothing more encouraging than to have a brother who will stand with you. Who will challenge, encourage and strengthen in time of need. That's why fellowship and relationships with other believers is so important. You really can't be all that God wants you to be alone. You need a brother.

If you are not in a relationship with another believer who can strengthen you, may I encourage you to seek one out. Get involved in a local Bible believing church. Find a group of men (for the guys) or women (for the ladies) who will strengthen and support, encourage and challenge you. That support group will make all the difference.

My Brothers Keeper

And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?

Gen 4:8-9 (KJV)

Here is one of the most misquoted verses. I hear people say it all the time, "I am not my brothers keeper." That's probably not a verse we should quote for ourselves. God chastises Cain and basically says, "Oh Yes you are!" We are our brothers keeper and God expects us to care for and to be accountable to each other. We need each other. We need others to care for us. And yes we need someone to hold us accountable. From time to time we need a brother or sister to come along side us and loving challenge us about our walk with the Lord.

I would encourage you to find another Christ Follower who can be an accountability partner and to form a support group for spiritual growth. We should not walk alone!