Bible Lessons

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Be careful With Joining A Fellowship

Never underestimate the power of sin. It is very enticing, and its way is very convincing, for it comes to us when we are down and so appealing to our weaknesses. Heb. 11:25 says that the pleasure of sin is only for a season. Yes, sin offers happiness or pleasure to satisfy our wants. Thus, it is very enticing.

1 Pet. 5:8 implies that temptation comes to us when we are weak, when left alone, like Eve in the Garden of Eden, and when not working, like David, seeing Bathsheba where he was supposed to be in the war. That is why James 4:7 says, resist the Devil, and He will flee from you. Ephesians 4:27.

Christ was right in his model prayer, saying, “Lead us not into temptation” (Matt.). 6:13. Sad to say, many do not see this in the fight for the truth to keep the faith pure in the truth. In what way? In not being careful with the fellowship, with the partnership.
In the fellowship, we see a lot of joy because there is the joy of being together.

Fellowship is a partnership, a communion, a mutual support for the common goal. This should make it clear that, not because we are brethren, we are obliged to have fellowship regardless of views upheld in matters of obligation in the faith. The Bible is clear that the Corinthians were told to have no fellowship with a brother living in sin, 1 Co. 5: 8-13. 2 Thess. 3:14-15. Why? A little leaven leavens the whole bread, and evil companions corrupt good habits, 1 Co. 15:33.
Allow me to show these illustrations:

1. The position of a flower pot on the table. The instructions and warnings were given to keep it that way permanently, all the time. Not to change it nor to replace it. After a few days, someone changed it, but those who knew it just remained silent. Later, another movement was made, and those who knew the original position just remained silent to avoid conflict, for they wanted peace and harmony. During this time, there were already new converts or members. They did not see the original position of a pot. Many years later, the majority of the original members were gone, and the few left are already old and sickly. Most of the current members are new, did not see the original position, and are not aware of the instructions and warnings not to change the position or replace it. Then the change has become the practice for a long time. When someone says, " That is not the original position.” Will that be a struggle? It will be one against all. The one teaching the truth, to go back to the old, will be charged with causing a division or troubling the church. This is one principle, I believe, why Abraham was told to leave his home country because his father and siblings were idolaters. God, who was creating a special race out of Abraham, had to take him out of that place.

2. If you see a lot of people drowning, you do not have to remain swimming to save them. You must remain on dry ground/place to save them. You either throw them a rope or a floater to take them out. Do not swim with them when there are many, and you are alone. This is the principle why God told Israel not to marry the seven nations greater and mightier than them, for they will turn them away from God, Deut. 7:1-5. Look at what happened to Israel when they stayed in the place where there was the gathering of the Moabite women. And others, particularly, invited others. As a result, they joined with idolatry, and God became so angry with them, Numbers 25:1-4. The principle is so clear to be very careful not to join any activities that contradict God’s will, and even more to invite some brethren for our leadership will become a bad signal in supporting and joining with errors, and those under us will lead to sin.

The fellowship of sin is powerful, very appealing, very enticing. If we’re not wise in dealing with it, it will lead us to our own destruction and those we lead. Paul said to Timothy, to be careful with the self and the teachings, for if we do these, we save ourselves and those who hear us, 1 Tim. 4:16.

So, why unrighteousness, sin, and lawlessness prevail and abound? One big reason is the fellowship, partnership. We go into it and invite others, instead of not. Since others’ fellowships are greater and mightier, considering they have more activities due to greater resources and funds, and most likely smarter, even those with us become our opponents, questioning our teachings and ways in the congregation.