Deepening the Fellowship



Just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. (Phil. 1:7, NIV)

Paul had great love for the believers in the church at Philippi because he said they were all "partakers with me of grace" (Phil. 1:7, NIV).  Grace is the love that God has for you even though you do not deserve it.  We see this grace in salvation first:
 
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:4-5, NIV)


Grace, in order to really be grace, does not and can never take into account any sense of worthiness on your part.  Your good works cannot earn His love because grace is God's choice to freely love you:
 

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV)


God relates to you with grace not only in your salvation but in every aspect of your life.  By grace:
 

• God builds you up in the faith (Acts 20:32).
• God gives different spiritual gifts to you (Romans 12:6).
• God enables you to do good works for others (1 Corinthians 15:10).
• God strengthens you in the midst of all troubles (2 Corinthians 12:9).
• God teaches you to say "yes" to righteousness and "no" to wickedness (Titus 2:11-12).


If God relates to you by grace in every aspect of your life, how then should you relate to your brothers and sisters in Christ?  You relate to one another with grace.

Relate to your church family with grace. Extend love and compassion and forgiveness freely to your brothers and sisters in Christ (Ephesians 4:32).  Sure, they do not deserve such overwhelming kindness.  But then, neither did you and neither did I.  
The more grace you give away, the more grace you will receive from God.  The Bible says, "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (2 Cor. 9:8, NIV).  By giving away grace you will be empowered to love even more of your brothers and sisters.  The result is that fellowship in the church will grow stronger and wider.

Fellowship is to the body of Christ what muscles are to the bones.  As the muscles hold the skeleton together, fellowship holds things together.  As the muscles make the bones move around, fellowship makes things happen in the church.  Fellowship, like a muscle, must be exercised to grow stronger.  Relate to your church family with grace and watch your fellowship grow.







Our Creator God loves you and wants you to know Him! If you would like to contact this ministry for further information or questions, please send your e-mail to:
Email: ministryrequest1@WordTruth.Com
Web Site: WordTruth.Com

Copyright 4/10/2001, Randy Lariscy.