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Powerful Christian Fellowship

In his book entitled, “Rich Christians In An Age Of Hunger: Moving from Affluence to Generosity,” Dr. Ronald J. Sider, professor of theology at Palmer Theological Seminary, brings out the following thoughts on page 206 and 207 regarding the importance of Christian fellowship:

The God of the Bible is calling Christians today to live in fundamental nonconformity to contemporary society, to confess and turn away from our obsession with materialism, sex, and economic success. Things have become more important to us than persons. Job security and salary increases matter more than starving children and poor peasants. Paul’s warning to the Romans is especially pertinent:

“Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould” (Romans 12:2 J.B. Phillips).

Biblical revelation summons us to defy many of the basic values of our materialistic, adulterous society. But that is impossible! As individuals, that is. It is hardly possible for isolated believers to resist the anti-Christian values pouring from our radios, televisions and billboards. The values of our affluent society seep slowly and subtly into our hearts and minds. The only way to defy them is to immerse ourselves in Christian fellowship, so that God can remold our thinking as we find our primary identity with brothers and sisters who also are unconditionally committed to biblical values.

We should not be surprised that faithful obedience is possible only in the context of powerful Christian fellowship. The early church was able to defy the decadent values of Roman civilization precisely because it experienced Christian fellowship in a mighty way. For the early Christians, koinonia was not the “frilly fellowship” of church-sponsored, biweekly bowling parties. It was not tea, cookies, and sophisticated small talk in the Fellowship Hall after the sermon. It was an almost unconditional sharing of their lives with other members of Christ’s body.

When one member suffered, they all suffered. When one rejoiced, they all rejoiced (1 Corinthians 12:26). When a person or church experienced economic trouble, the others shared generously (Acts 2:44-45; Acts 4:32-35). And when a brother or sister fell into sin, the others gently restored the straying person (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2:5-11; Gal. 6:1-3). The sisters and brothers were available to each other, liable for each other, and accountable to each other — emotionally, financially, and spiritually.

Brethren, as members of the Lord’s church, do we have the kind of close-knit fellowship that the first century church experienced or are we being squeezed into the world’s mold?

Let us seriously think about the above thoughts that Dr. Sider has expressed, and then make any necessary changes in the light of God’s inspired Word (2 Timothy 3:16).