Habitually neglecting the gathering of God's people is an expensive form of spiritual neglect. Take a moment and think on what a spectacular gift Christian fellowship really is. These blessings and more accrue to the life of a believer, when you commit to and embrace fellowship with God’s people:
1. You demonstrate a sincere love for Jesus. 1John 4:19-20; Romans 12:9-16
2. You receive the encouragement of harmony. Rom. 15:5
3. You experience mutual acceptance among radically different people. Rom. 15:7
4. You benefit from mutual instruction, encouragement and correction. Rom. 15:14
5. You gain opportunities for joy, mutual comfort, unity, encouragement and peace. 2Cor. 13:11; 1Th. 4:18; 1Th. 5:11 Fellowship Picture
6. You use your newfound freedom for the loving service of others. Gal. 5:13
7. You receive God-given opportunities to develop patience. Eph. 4:1-2
8. You become aware of God-given opportunities to grow in kindness and forgiving others. Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13
9. You receive mutual encouragement and growth that comes from corporate worship before God. Col 3:16
10. You demonstrate reverence to Christ. Eph. 5:21
11. You put yourself on God’s pathway for cultivating spiritual growth. Col. 3:7-10
12. You gain opportunities to see God’s answers to prayer especially in the lives of others. 2Th. 1:3 cf. 1Th. 3:11-12
13. You receive confrontation from others, making yourself less vulnerable to the hardening deceitfulness of sin. Heb. 3:13
14. You stir up others to love and good works, while being stirred up by others to love and good works. Heb. 10:24-25
15. You gain many opportunities to put to death your judgmental spirit. James 4:11, 5:9
16. You are freed to confidentially speak private things to a trusted brother or sister and benefit by their prayers for you. James 5:16
17. You grow in humility. 1Pet. 5:5
18. You make the Gospel more visible to a dark world. John 13:35; 1Th. 4:9; Titus 3:3; 1John 3:11, 23; 1John 4:7, 11-12; 2John 5.
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