“Shun youthful lusts and flee from them, and aim at and pursue righteousness (all that is virtuous and good, right living, conformity to the will of God in thought, word, and deed); [and aim at and pursue] faith, love, [and] peace (harmony and concord with others) in Fellowship with all [Christians], who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22 (AMP)
Living the Christian life was never meant to be done alone. Many people withdraw from taking the time to fellowship with other believers because they become too busy, have hectic jobs, or move to a new town, because life can be stressful in so many ways.
Being isolated will only lead you down the road to defeat. If you want to live in victory, you need to fellowship with people who KNOW God. Do not try to fellowship with the world and live like them, believing you can be an overcomer. It will not work.
We draw strength from one another. We also get weaknesses from one another. If you want to grow strong, find someone stronger in the Lord than you are and fellowship with them. It will strengthen your walk with the Lord.
On the other hand, if you fellowship with people who do not live for God and trust in His Word, they will take you in the opposite direction, it will water down your trust and obedience in the Lord.
Finding a Fellowship of Faith
Do not choose to attend a Church, for example, where people tell you healing has passed away, or the power of God is no longer available to the believer. Always fellowship with like-minded brothers and sisters in Christ.
Fellowship with brethren who are strong in their faith. When I use the word fellowship, I do not mean “acquaintances” or people you just know. The word translated as “fellowship” in the Greek reveals a depth of intimacy, caring, bearing, and sharing. The English word fellowship was also translated as the word “communion”.
1 John 2:15 (NKJV):
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
This is a very radical statement! Those who love the world and the things it offers do not love God. Likewise, those who love God do not love the world or the things the world offers. The love of God and the love of this world are incompatible.
This is specifically targeting the three areas mentioned in the next verse (1 John 2:16): “…the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life…”
Your very life depends on whom you “Fellowship” with and where you attend Church. Fellowship with those of “like precious faith”. I do not mean, however, that this is to the exclusion of others in the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:9 (KJV)
“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Jesus did not die just to set us free from the punishments of eternal damnation. He died to also bring us into Fellowship with Him and His Father (1 John 1:3). This is the goal of salvation, and the fact that we miss hell and obtain heaven are just added benefits.
The same quality of “Fellowship” we are meant to experience with the Lord, we are called to experience with other “like-minded” brethren.
Hebrews 10:25 (AMP):
“Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.”
The Lord has a plan for your life, to prosper you and not to harm you. (Jeremiah 29:11) But the enemy has a plan too! And if he can isolate you apart from the strength of a Christian community, he will! Remain in fellowship where the Lord has planted you to remain strong and safe in your faith!
Want to read more? Check out this article from The Way of the Worshipper:
“Are You in a Fight of Faith? Call the People of War into Battle”!
Blessings!
Pastor Ernest F. Fink
Founding Pastor
