4 Reasons You Need Fellowship

John Donne wrote, “No man is an island.”

I couldn’t agree with this statement more. It is true that man is not created to live individual of all others, but to enjoy the fellowship of community. God, in nature, is community – Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Thus, having been made in His image, mankind was created with a desire to enjoy company.

Such is the nature of Christianity, too! We have been adopted into the family of God, becoming brothers and sisters in Christ; we are many, yet one body in Him. However, many believers choose to live out the faith in isolation. Many decide not to join fellowship, so that they can live without conflict amongst others.

That shouldn’t be so. As followers of Christ, we have been called to live out our faith in a community of believers! Check out these passages, which provide a biblical perspective of fellowship:

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

Romans 12:4-5

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

The question you may be asking is this: how does one benefit from a community of faith? Allow me to provide some answers from my own experience:

1. An Atmosphere of Authenticity

In a group of genuine Christ followers, one finds the ability to accept this flawed reality – and discuss it with others. As believers, we know that every person on this planet is initially sinful by nature and prone to wander toward sinful desires; therefore a collection of close friends within the body of Christ is a powerful tool in our process of repentance. Furthermore, a fellowship of believers provides tremendous aid, as one faces the storms of life; no one should go through difficulty alone, and plugging into a close-knit group of believers (amongst whom accountability and support are cherished) can be an effective way to overcome. After all, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.”

2. Growing Your Gifts

I have never been more inspired to develop my talents and abilities than when sharing life with a committed group of believers. As followers of Christ, we should be devoted to using our gifts to bring glory to the Lord; thus, when a group of brothers and sisters spend time together, they naturally seek to build one another up – especially by helping each other sharpen the abilities with which they have been blessed. Though not recently, the Church has historically been known as a storehouse of skill, intelligence, creativity, and innovation! Why? Because it is a group of people that constantly motivates one another to sharpen talents – that God might be exalted amongst men!

3. Developing Deeper Thinking

In all honesty, my deepest, most profound thoughts have come as a result of long conversations with dear brothers and sisters in Christ; whenever believers gather together to discuss the things of God, they are challenged, sharpened, and provoked to think upon deep things. Thus, close relationship with other believers should cause an increase of wisdom-driven thought and fervor for understanding. Christians should be thinkers, and fellowship should promote that! Take The Inklings as a prime example.

4. Finding a Family

Ultimately, fellowship in Christ is family. We have all been adopted into the family of God – and together we can call His presence home! I have found love, acceptance, support, encouragement, honesty, and accountability in the company of other believers, and that should be something that every follower of Christ desires. In the Church, a believer can find a place to belong here on earth – with peers that provide genuine care and support. Hallelujah!

Followers of Jesus are not intended to live alone, but to enjoy the fellowship of Godly community. We have been called to live out our faith within a community of believers - so starting doing it!


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