One of the greatest blessings of being a Christian is the fellowship of the believers.  The whole Christian experience centers around others--sharing our commonalities based in our salvation through Jesus Christ, sharing our different gifts imparted by the Holy Spirit, relying on one another to be "God with skin," and even forgiving one another's faults and short-comings, helping the brother or sister who stumbles. We work together, we play together, we eat together, we worship and pray together. Truly Christianity means "no man is an island." The Lord taught us, "For wherever two or three people have come together in my name, I am there among them!" (Matthew 18:20).

Recently an ex-student came to visit me.  He told me that after graduation he began to realize how he missed hearing the Word of God every day and being able to express prayer requests and receive prayer from people who cared about him.  He said, "Out in the world you meet a lot of great people, but you don't meet a lot of great Christians."  He was missing (he used the word "craving") the fellowship that he once had.  How blessed we are when we become part of the fellowship of believers!  How lonely we are without it!

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and  dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts toward God" (Col.3:12-16). 

Remember that the Proverb tells us, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" (27:17). Our characters are developed and molded by those with whom we fellowship.  Even our particular fellowship is called together for a purpose, and that is not a purpose that exists entirely within the four walls of our church- membership comfort zone. Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven" (Matthew 5:13-17).  

God's call is a privilege and a purpose.  It is a call to rest, but it is very often a call to work.  And our very pleasurable work is to spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ to as many as will hear, to expand the fellowship for the glory of God on this earth. Jesus commissioned us to "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."  His promise is "Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20).

Thank You Lord for Christian fellowship; thank You that we are called by Your Name!  Make us salt; make us light; make us bold to change the environment in which we exist to draw others by the power of the Holy Spirit Who lives in us. Amen