Fellowship…
The first time I met “Sam” (not his real name) he was sitting on the sidewalk along one of the city’s major downtown streets. In front of him on the walkway I noticed a somewhat worn paper coffee cup. In the cup were a few coins. City by-laws do not permit folk in circumstances similar to Sam’s to verbally or with signage solicit money from passers-by, but it was clear that Sam was a man in need.
I chatted with Sam awhile. Learned he had a desperate health problem, but Sam was not in despair. Sam had learned to live one day at a time, thankful for whatever blessings came his way. When he occasionally had a bit more than he needed at that moment he gladly shared with another individual in need.
I moved on… but my encounter with Sam stuck in my head… in my heart. There was something about Sam… I felt an affinity with him… a bond which I could not understand.
I encountered Sam many times since. As I had the ability I helped him out at times with token grocery voucher, cold drink or toiletries. But it was not until most recently that I learned Sam was a brother, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, a member of the eternal family of God.
No wonder our fellowship was sweet. The affinity I had sensed from the start was the affinity we shared in the Holy Spirit. As Paul writes, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” (Rom. 8:16).
True Christian fellowship is much more than simply a bunch of like-minded individuals gathering together. True Christian fellowship includes our very real interactions with God Who fellowships with us as well.
John writes, “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:3).
Paul adds, “God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Cor. 1:9), and “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Cor. 13:14).
Christian fellowship is not just a house party, potluck, or golf game. It can be all that, but has also a much deeper connection point, “the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God” (Eph. 4:13) into which we ought all be daily growing deeper and encouraging in one another.
Christian fellowship is a wonderful and necessary thing. The psalmist writes…
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. (Ps. 133:1-3)
Press on…
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thebrokenrunner 
Great post. Thank you for sharing your story about Sam. Too many see the homeless and can’t get past our appearance to understand we are people too and in many cases are believers. When our family was homeless that was a constant problem. What was hard for people to understand was that we were following Jesus in faith. They could not get past their preconceptions of the poor and homeless to get to know us. Although we had no substance abuses, never begged or pan handled, never stole or did anything against the law we were more often harassed and hated than loved. This we expected from unbelievers but coming from believers was hard to bear. At least we learned a lot about humanity and our God through the journey. I am thankful we went through what we did, if only to gain empathy for our fellow brothers and sisters on the streets who are forgotten and unloved by most. On behalf of all who have been in the place Sam was, we say thank you for your kindness. May God increase your blessing tenfold.
Blessings,
Homer Les
http://www.uncompromisingfaith.ca
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Thank you Homer. Yes, too often even Christians forget that Christ Himself was a homeless person. (Luke 9:58)
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Amen, they do indeed forget that important point. Blessings to you this day!
Blessings,
Homer Les
http://www.uncompromisingfaith.ca
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