Your Daily Devotional for September 2, 2007

 

September 2,  2007

 

 

Continuing in Fellowship

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

 

Acts 2:44-47

 

 

A British publication once offered a prize for the best definition of a friend. Among the thousands of answers received were the following: "One who multiplies joys, divides grief, and whose honesty is inviolable." "One who understands our silence." "A volume of sympathy bound in cloth." "A watch that beats true for all time and never runs down." But the winning definition read: "A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out."

 

We as humans naturally desire the friendship of others, and it is God's desire that we would fellowship with those who have the same beliefs and desires we have. He intends for us to fellowship with other Christians.

 

As we saw yesterday, the early church remained steadfast in their service for God because they were grounded in the doctrine of the Bible. Not only were they able to continue because they were grounded, but also because they continued in godly fellowship with other Christians.

 

Their fellowship was Christ-centered. Many times we can build friendships based on common interests but fail to develop spiritual relationships. The first century church realized the importance of basing their friendships on Christ. In a day of so much persecution, a wrong friend could get them killed! Even so, a wrong friend in our lives could bring us down spiritually. We must be sure that our fellowship is based on Christ.

 

Not only should our fellowship be Christ-centered, but it should also be church-centered. A good friend should encourage you to attend church and should attend church themselves! Many times some of the best friendships we can make are with those people who attend church with us! One of the purposes of church is the gathering together of the believers to fellowship. When we place a priority on being in church and centering our fellowship on church, we will be able to continue steadfastly in God's service.

 

Also, our fellowship should be centered on others. Our society tells us to make friendships based on what we can get out of them, but God desires that we would focus on what we can give in a friendship. Second Corinthians 8:4-5 says, "Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God." Paul noted that the Corinthian church gave of themselves to meet his needs.

 

A good friend will always look for ways to help others. They will notice when someone is not having a good day and they will strive to encourage them. A good friend delights in giving more than they delight in getting. As our fellowship is centered on others, we, like the early church, will be able to steadfastly continue.

 

How is your fellowship with others? Is it centered on God, church, and others? Take time now to think of the friends you have. Are they drawing you into a closer walk with God? If we desire to remain steadfast in our service for God, we must have godly fellowship. Spend time with God now and ask Him to give you good friends and to make you a better friend to others.

 

 

 

Daily Bible Reading

Psalm 137-139 • 1 Corinthians 13

 

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