Atonement And Fellowship 2/8

There are so many people who mock the followers of Christ. They are like those who stare and stare at the obvious, but can’t see the forest for the trees.

We should go looking for a clear example of someone on Christ’s side, not to quickly cutting some one out. How many times does it happen because somebody expresses other ideas that he is considered not one of them. It happened to Paul and other believers through the ages, and it stills happens today. Often people do not notice that the other is also standing with Christ because they see only the outside factors.

 “Do you look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trusts to himself that he is the Messiah’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is the Messiah’s, even so are we the Messiah’s.” (2 Corinthians 10:7 KJBPNV)

Instead of calling the other not a Christian, people should better investigate better what it really means to be a Christian. They should recognise it when somebody wants to follow Jesus Christ and is eager to get to know the teachings of that Master. Those studying the words of Christ should reach out more to each other and welcome one another to God’s glory. Jesus did it; now we have to do it!

“Therefore receive you one another, as the Messiah also received us to the glory of God.” (Romans 15:7 KJBPNV)

The Gospel According to Jesus Christ (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Those following Christ should not stay isolated in their little cocoon. They should dare to come out their houses and proclaim the message of Christ. Bringing over the Good News they should show how they want to live together under Christ. Regarding life together and getting along with each other, we don’t need anybody of those followers of Christ to force what to do. Those who want to follow Christ also want to give themselves to the Father of Jesus, who is also our Father.  As Jesus received the words and the power to do wonders we, by Christ, now also can receive the blessings of God and get inspired by the Most High. As such we should be God-taught in the matters of faith and comportment. From God’s Word we learn how to behave to others and how to love the world. Jesus was full of love and so should we, being gentle with one another, sensitive. Even when people do something which we do not like we should forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave us.

 “But as touching brotherly love you need not that I write to you: for you yourselves are taught of God to love one another.” (1 Thessalonians 4:9 KJBPNV)

“And be you kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for the Messiah’s sake has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32 KJBPNV)

Like Paul had “fellowship in the Gospel” with the Philippians,  we also should have fellowship with each other because we all are partakers with him of grace. All those in the Lord Jesus by valid baptism, and who remain in him by faithful continuance in his way, are partakers of his gracious pardon, salvation, and patient fellowship; and they will, naturally and inevitably, reflect this to their brethren as part of their gratitude to him.

“5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Yahshua the Messiah: 7  Even as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of my grace.” (Philippians 1:5-7 KJBPNV)

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Good Tidings (Photo credit: Waiting For The Word)

Preceding: Atonement And Fellowship 1/8

Continued on: Atonement And Fellowship 3/8

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Additional reading:

1. The Law of Christ: Law of Love
2. Preferring to be a Christian
3. Called Christian
4. Casual Christians
5. Not liking your Christians
6. The Church, Body of Christ and remnant Israel synonymous
7. Following the leader
8. To be chained by love for another one
9. Life and attitude of a Christian
10. Walking alone?
11. Who are you going to reach out to today
12. How us to behave
13. Fellowship
14. Integrity of the fellowship
15. Character transformed by the influence of our fellowships
16. A small company of Jesus’ footstep follower
17. Our relationship with God, Jesus and each other

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