Being My Sister's Keeper - Part I

Some months back in our ladies accountability care groups we went through a series of teachings by Elyse Fitzpatrick on Being My Sister’s Keeper (you can find all the notes here). In light of this topic join us as we continue to explore what it means to form relationships that will result in true biblical fellowship which is simply to know and be known by one another, with a primary goal of growing together in godliness. May we be reminded that all of the Christian life takes place in the context of our relationships with other believers in the context of the local church. And though we enter into a relationship with God as individuals, something greater than our own individuality was and is God’s plan: the church-the community of God’s people.

Throughout the history of redemption, God has been acting to create “a people for His Own possession.” (1 Peter 2:9-10) Christ’s finished work on the cross not only provided forgiveness of sins, but it advanced God’s work of creating a people for Himself by bringing into existence the church.

Our true nature as the church, and as Christians, is corporate. God is saving a people, not an unconnected group of isolated individuals. Our lives are to give expression to the reality of our existence as the people of God. To deny this by pursuing individualism or independence is to isolate ourselves from the express purpose of God.

So what does this mean practically? What is God’s intention for our lives together? Is it simply attending the same meeting on a Sunday? Is it merely acknowledging the same body of doctrines? Yes, I do believe it is that, but so, so much more.

The biblical picture of the church can best be described as a community: a group of people, joined by a common life, united by common values and a common purpose. This is the type of church life God calls us to-a life that shines as a testimony to His work in our lives. Our fellowship is nothing less than our participation together in the very life of God, made possible by Christ’s work on the cross and brought about by the Holy Spirit. Such fellowship is both profound and precious.

Fellowship begins with speaking the gospel. (1 John 1:3) The starting point of fellowship is simply speaking the truth in love. Love is central to the process of restoring one another and bearing one another’s burdens. The platform of the cross is the only place we can pursue fellowship, for it is the source of all fellowship. If fellowship does not begin with the cross it will lack the ground and power for its purpose. If our common goal in relating to one another is something other than being conformed to his image and growing in his likeness, we will stop short of pursuing fellowship. The purpose of fellowship is that we would glorify God as we grow in godliness and are conformed to the image of Christ.

All too often many of us want the privileges of such relationships but not the responsibilities. But the fruit of such fellowship is so worth it.

We need the consistent encouragement of others. We need others to help us resist sin and to strengthen our resolve for godliness. We need the input of others to help us see our sin and repent from it. We need to confess our sins to others so as to weaken sin’s power and invite accountability. But more than all that we need to live our lives in view of God’s grace and mercy. Our gaze to needs to be fixed there. Apart from God’s grace and mercy we cannot grow. So as we offer ourselves as living sacrifices it is in response to what God has done and this is what God uses to bring about change and growth in our lives in order for us to be a means of grace to others.

As we humble ourselves before God and one another, as we worship together, pray for one another, carry one another’s burdens, and serve one another we will experience true biblical fellowship. Our lives together are intended to present to the world a compelling witness of the grace of God. Our unity and love for one another is one of the most powerful testimonies we can give to unbelievers who are lost, isolated, fragmented, and ultimately without hope, but also it is a powerful testimony we can give to each other.

Join us over the next few weeks as we continue to look at what it means to walk in the light as it pertains to Being My Sister’s Keeper. ~ Rhonda Calabello