DECEMBER 20, Hebrews 10:23-25

Many churches have youth groups that are fun and exciting. In order to encourage their youth to bond and to get to know each other, they organise outings and plan games that everyone will enjoy. The time spent in studying God’s Word is sometimes kept short so that youths do not find it boring. You would hardly hear any preaching on sin, hell, repentance and holy living. While there is nothing wrong with organising outings for everyone to bond, is this the true purpose that God intended for Christian fellowship?

Have you asked yourself for what reasons are you going to church, attending fellowship group meetings and camps? There is nothing wrong with fun. But God’s purpose for Christian fellowship is much deeper. Christian fellowship must be based on our faith in Him. In verse 23, we are called to hold fast to the profession of our faith. Christians are to cling on and to never let go of their faith in God. Whatever happens in life, God is faithful and His promises are true and certain. We must hold fast to this truth! Only Christians will understand about faith in God, and the need to cling on to Him.

To help us to hold fast to God, it is needful for us to hold fast to God together. Therefore, we are told in verse 24, to “consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works”. We ought to get to know each other beyond our superficial common interests, and to help one another through our needs. We are also to provoke each other to love and good works - not that we annoy friends to get a reaction out of them. To provoke is to challenge each other to be a better Christian, so that our lives may show more of God’s love in our relationships with those around us.

The only way we can do this is to continue to meet and have fellowship around God’s Word. God’s purpose for fellowship must always be centred around His Word. We must have a close walk with God, to enable us to share and encourage each other with His Word. As verse 25 tells us, do not give up on having Christian fellowship. We must help each other to hold fast because Jesus is coming again!

Thought: True Christian fellowship is God-centred and not man-centred.

Prayer: Father in Heaven, thank You for the fellow ship that I can share with other Christians. Help me to be a blessing to them and that our fellowship may be pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.