Fellowship
As we get involved in our newly formed Grace Groups we have the challenged and opportunity before us of pursuing true and deep fellowship. Real fellowship is real- not fake. It is deep- not shallow. It is hard work- not always comfortable. Real fellowship is a reflection of the gospel and the closeness it brings about between us and God. Real fellowship is an instrument God uses in our lives as He conforms us the image of His Son.
Mark Lauterbach over at GospelDrivenLife recently did a series of five posts (Pt. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) entitled, “Is Biblical Fellowship Optional.” All of the posts are worth reading but below I have chosen to post the majority of part five.
…the mood of fellowship is very simple — it is encouragement. For those who want to be helped to see this, I recommend C J Mahaney’s message, “Grace and the Adventure of Leadership” that you can get here.
When I come to Hebrews, which contains some of the most severe warnings in the NT, I find the primary admonition of how believers are to relate is “encourage” and I find it to be done “daily” and “all the more.” Yes, yes, we are watching over each other for sin — but encourage is what we are to do to help I tend to think it should read, “Watch out for the deceitfulness of sin. Keep a sharp eye out for sin. Rebuke each other often. Be suspicious of each other.” But that is not what it says — it says that the way to guard against hardness of heart is encouragement. That does not mean there is no place for rebuke — it means the first step is to be alert for grace in each other and fan it into flame.
It takes no advanced degree to find fault with another man — or to show the stupidity of someone else’s thinking. It takes much grace to see God at work in a fellow redeemed sinner whose life is marred by sin and marked by grace. It takes grace to see it and strengthen it. It takes grace to encourage them in a way that glorifies God and strengthens faith.
Notice — we are called to consider each other and to think about the other person and God’s work in them) to provoke (really stir them up) unto love and good works. That means I am looking for where God is at work and I am stirring it up.
We are called to do it diligently.
My children tell me I am very hard to please. I do not think I am — I think I have very good standards and they need to measure up. I wake up in the morning and the first thing I see is what has not been done. I see faults all over. I am God’s agent to make them excellent.
A few years ago a friend saw my sin and encouraged me to spend a whole summer doing nothing but encouraging my children. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Every day I would look for grace in them but find faults. I had to bite my tongue all the time. But the fruit on their lives and our relationship was amazing.
So — as I lead my family, do they hear my criticism more than my commendation? Do I see myself as the great and indispensable fault-finder? As I relate to fellow-Christians, am I more aware of their sin or of their growth in sanctification?
I am learning this most crucial element of fellowship — and seeing it as the first step. Until I see grace in others I am in no position to help them grow by pointing out their sin.