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The topic I chose to write about is fellowship.
I have been a Christian all my life...but never truly embraced Jesus
Christ as my personal Savior and King until a little over a year ago.
Merriam-Webster tells us that a fellowship is the
condition of sharing similar interests, ideals, or experiences, as by reason
of profession, religion, or nationality. Also, the
companionship of individuals in a congenial atmosphere and on equal terms.
As Christians we use the word fellowship to describe our efforts to
encourage friends and those whom we encounter to turn their lives
unselfishly to God. I personally believe this...but to me
the word fellowship has a much broader meaning. We as
Christians do not have the option to extend the hand of fellowship only to
relatives, close friends and those we select who express an interest in what
we do in CIP. Limiting or withholding our fellowship
seems to me contrary to what Jesus teaches us in the New Testament.
After Jesus' resurrection, He instructed his disciples
with these words, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost;
teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you."
Matt. 28:19-20. This instruction is valid today
more than any other time in modern history. The world is
filled with billions of people. There are more
missionaries now all over the world than at any other time in recorded
history. It is their task to teach the Gospel to those
who haven't heard it yet...who are hungry and thirsty for it. It
is our job as Christians to encourage the fellowship after our new brothers
and sisters accept Jesus Christ into their hearts. In
addition to welcoming and accepting these new Christians, we need to reach
out and extend our friendship to others regardless of whether they are
interested in hearing the Good News or not. We must not
be too selective in identifying those we feel are worthy or appreciative of
our attention. The spirit of true Christian fellowship
must include everyone.
We can share the love of Christ in simple acts.
For example, the warmth of a radiant smile to the overworked cashier
at the supermarket...or a friendly greeting when you enter a room in
Pogo...these both can go very far. As warriors for
Christ, we need to feel genuine charity for each other. As
we do, new light will come into our own lives. Personally
I am working on building personal, meaningful relationships with those
friends of mine who haven't embraced Jesus as their personal Savior.
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