As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
Yesterday we discussed the relationship between humility and Godly counsel. Today, we will look at the relationship between fellowship and Godly counsel. Fortunately, the basic Discipline we are considering this week is Fellowship so we are already learning a lot about the topic. All I want to do here is to explicitly make the link between the Disciplines and leave you with some questions to answer.
Since God clearly has all the answers to all our questions, why doesn’t he just give us all the answers directly? Obviously He can and sometimes He does, but in His wisdom he admonishes us to seek counsel from others. Please read the following passage from Hebrews 10:23 – 25 and look for the link between fellowship and the Discipline of counsel: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” The idea of spurring one another on brings “counsel” to mind and not giving up on meeting together brings “fellowship” to mind. The two concepts naturally fit together and I believe where there is great fellowship the foundation for Godly counsel exists.
Here are some questions related to fellowship to consider as you seek to practice the Discipline of Counsel:
- Does your brand of fellowship promote the type of atmosphere where you would feel comfortable seeking and providing counsel?
- Do you meet with believers outside of a church service? Or, when you attend church and the church service is over, do you ever stick around to spend time with others?
- Do you make an effort to really get to know other believers by going beyond surface conversations?
- Would people know that you love brothers and sisters in the Faith based on the amount of time you are prepared to spend with them?
What do you think? Share your thoughts with a comment on the blog site.
April 2, 2014 at 12:47 am
I think that making an effort to meet believers outside church will contribute to deepening relationships. In the past church I served in, there was the practice of regularly visiting other believers just to find out about them and the real life, not the ideal one that we sometimes portray on Sundays.
I hope believers of Westside won’t faint if we just make some unexpected visits.
April 2, 2014 at 7:21 pm
That is actually a great idea Terrance! Last weekend I met a believer family and they said I would be so welcomed to have lunch with them whenever I had the time. I felt really happy to hear that because that is not an usual offer you get these days. We have become so busy with our lives that we don’t make the time to meet other believers, but instead we isolate and don’t give ourselves the chance to grow in this way.
April 2, 2014 at 9:40 pm
That verse from Hebrews is awesome. I love people but I am not that great at reaching out to people and I am easily discouraged when I do not get a warm reception 🙂
I sometimes wonder how did Jesus do it. Having meals with company regularly, going to people’s homes to have a meal, talking to people in the streets, meeting a Pharisee (a foe) at night to answer questions, asking a Samaritan woman for a drink (at a well). He is really outgoing! But what if you are an introvert ….
Thanks for the encouragement ….