Fellowship: Synergy in Community
Fellowship is a word that has a secret identity these days. We mistake it as the mild-mannered potluck luncheon or picnic, when it is really the super-powered reality of the life of the Church.
Jesus said, "where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them" (Matthew 18:20). There is a sense that Christ is most present in the community of His people. In the Church, God is here with hands and feet. When we look into one another's eyes, we can see the eyes of Christ looking on us. Jesus said, "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:20). And in a very real sense, we do. It is not simply "imagining" that Christ is there and we are serving him, he says that in some real way we truly are serving him.
Confession: Freedom in Transparency
There is no stronger sin than sin that remains hidden. Secret sins are the most destructive force in the spiritual life. They chain us into a life of duplicity and spiritual mediocrity, if not spiritual bankruptcy. However, when we practice confession, our sin is no longer hidden. Such transparency brings an incredible freedom. What were once iron chains of bondage fall off as if they were made of paper.
If confession is so powerful for the spiritual life, why do so few of us practice it? We could identify many excuses, but the central reason is pride. We are afraid that someone will think less of us. We believe that our present "image" will be permanently defaced. But what good is an "image" if it masks inner decay?
Some of the most public examples of fallen Christian leaders revealed that the reason for their collapse was that they had no accountability. They had no one to whom they could confess. No one who could help them find freedom from their secret sins.
James 5:16 says, "confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another…."
REMEMBER!!!!
Potluck this Saturday and our THIRD attempt at watching that movie! Let us know what you're bringing.
