Tag: Fellowship

Love to Fulfill the Law

I believe I have spoken about my wife’s former coworker that we just pour love on as opposed to beating him up to get to church and get right with God. This morning in my continued study of the word “law”, I was brought to the passage that brings that to life.

“10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” “8Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” – Romans 13:10 & 8 (ESV)

The title of the passage, in my ESV Bible, where these verses come from is “Fulfilling the Law Through Love”. You see, our approach should be one of love. We are called to fulfill the law through love, not through other means. Jesus was the shining example of this approach. He loved all, not just those who would be following Him. He loved the tax collector and the adulteress. He dined with all. He healed those who would come to Him. In all, He loved.

I want to be careful not to glaze over the idea of accountability to our sins. Yes, Jesus loved all without exception, just as He continues to do today with you and me. But, He did not condone all of the actions of those He loved. He dined with the tax collectors yet did not avoid conversation. He spoke truth to the adulteress at the well. In just these scenarios Jesus delivered accountability through truth yet displayed love and forgiveness.

“14The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” – 2 Corinthians 13:14 (ESV)

We fulfill the law of the LORD when we spread His love to all. Paul, even as he spoke truth to the Corinthian church, did so through love and as you can see above, ended his letter letting them know where the love came from.

Love is from the LORD. We are called to live as the LORD and be His example here in this world. We are then called to live a life of love. Loving others does not mean that we avoid the truth to keep things cordial. Loving others means that we bring the truth but do so to guide and direct to the LORD, not to condemn. We are not the judge of others, that is left to the LORD. We are however bringers of love to the people as Jesus did and in doing so, we work toward fulfilling the law.

What is your approach to fulfilling the law? Are you rigid in the keeping of the rules to be just in all your work? What if you were to simply bring love and truth to all and know that in doing so, you will be fulfilling the law as God intended?

Break Bread with Believers

“42And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” – Acts 2:42 (ESV)

This morning I was reminded of the need to break bread with fellow believers. Yes, Jesus ate with sinners as we should as well, but, Jesus also ate and was in regular constant fellowship with His disciples, friends, and family, all of whom were believers and followers of His.

I find it interesting, and I am one of those, that we tend to fellowship with other believers in the church atmosphere. Yes, we may get together with other believers outside of church, yet to me there seems to be a camaraderie in Christ that may be missing. It seems to me that there is less work being done for the glory of God when we get together, and more of the get together and enjoy the world. Shouldn’t we be getting together for the advancement of the gospel.

“43And awed came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.44And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” – Acts 2:43-47 (ESV)

It may just be me in thinking that we are more focused on ourselves and our joy and not on the advancement of the gospel. That is okay as I am here to learn and apply that learning to my own life and not judge others. I would be remiss if I did not say what I see and question.

No, not every interaction with others should begin and end with the gospel. But why could it not. I do believe that I should be wearing my salvation on my sleeve for everyone to see. There should not be a question as to my relationship with Christ and how that relationship impacts me and those around me. Every time I give my mission statement to others, I am hesitant to give the last few words, “as an example of Christ’s Love.” Yet, even in hesitation, I give them anyway to demonstrate where my mission comes from.

I have to remember that fellowship is great, yet fellowship with fellow believers is even greater. As Luke writes in the verses above, we should be in fellowship with others, not just as we go to church, but always and use that fellowship to demonstrate the glory of God and in advancement of His Kingdom in Heaven.

Who is it that you spend the vast majority of your time with? Are you looking to be with the sinners always? What if you focused on your relationship with God and were in fellowship with other believers as you continue to advance the gospel together?