The Importance of Christian Fellowship

But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13

Have you ever asked yourself the importance of Christian Fellowship?  Or the reason behind doing it?  We can do something else (something “more interesting” as how the world puts it) every Sunday than just spending time for congregational worship for 2 hours or so.  But we devote time for this anyway.  Why?

Aside from the fact that the Lord wants us to do so and that He delights in it, this gathering of believers also works not only for our own good, but for the good of our brothers and sisters in Christ as well.  Just like what Paul said in his epistle to the Hebrews:

¹²Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. ¹³ But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:12-13)

Indeed, the days are evil.  False teachings are everywhere.  The world keeps pressuring us to adopt beliefs or perceptions that are contrary to our principles as God’s children.  The society laughs at us and ridicules us when we fight for our faith.  The pressure on Christians is apparently increasing today.

Therefore, the more that we should strengthen one another in Christ.  We cannot do it alone. Can you imagine running a long race with no one to encourage you to keep going?  Take note how Paul encouraged the believers in Hebrews:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

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And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Have you noticed how he used collective terms/pronouns? This is the way we should exhort one another as well.  Self-motivation has its limits.  God knows it, and that is why He called us into His family, His body.  We are are not designed to work alone.  We are designed to work with our fellow Christians.

So if you are a regular church goer/Bible study member/prayer meeting attendee, the Lord wants you to keep that habit.  And let us not only limit it to physical meeting, we can also reach fellow believers online.  A simple “any prayer request?” Facebook status or Tweet may lighten up one’s day or stir Godly conversation online.

Meanwhile, if you know you haven’t been attending Sunday service or any church activities regularly, take time to think about this post.  Reflect on the verses mentioned above.  Perhaps it’s about time to get back on track and run the Christian race with your brothers and sisters.  You might think that you are strong enough now, but time will come when you will be needing their encouragement too; or perhaps, at this moment, someone out there needs yours as well.

 

Soli Deo Gloria!