Author Phillip Yancey tells a story of a man in his church that cant help comparing being late for church to being late for his regular Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. When hes late for church, he says that he has the distinct feeling from everyone around him that hes not as responsible or he would get to church on time. When hes late for an A.A. meeting, however, the meeting stops, everyone jumps up to hug him because they realize he almost didnt make it, and they are so glad his need for them won out over his need for alcohol.
Whats the difference? The whole truth. The people who got to church on time may have gotten that one thing right, but they have a bunch of other things wrong with them, making them just as needy as the alcoholic. Fellowship isnt going to mean anything if we dont tell the whole truth about ourselves. Real fellowship means stepping into the light of Gods truth where everything is revealed, and when we bring ourselves to the light, we discover we are not alone. Theres a roomful of other believers all struggling with something too, and that sense of shared need is part of the bond that holds us together.
Yes, were people following Christ, but were all a bunch of forgiven sinners, too, who wouldnt have a chance at life were it not for what Christ has done for us. So grab someone and lets walk into the light together, where the blood of Jesus purifies us from all of our sins. Isnt that the group you want to be in?
But if we walk in the light as He [God] is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:7 NIV)
Whats the difference? The whole truth. The people who got to church on time may have gotten that one thing right, but they have a bunch of other things wrong with them, making them just as needy as the alcoholic. Fellowship isnt going to mean anything if we dont tell the whole truth about ourselves. Real fellowship means stepping into the light of Gods truth where everything is revealed, and when we bring ourselves to the light, we discover we are not alone. Theres a roomful of other believers all struggling with something too, and that sense of shared need is part of the bond that holds us together.
Yes, were people following Christ, but were all a bunch of forgiven sinners, too, who wouldnt have a chance at life were it not for what Christ has done for us. So grab someone and lets walk into the light together, where the blood of Jesus purifies us from all of our sins. Isnt that the group you want to be in?
But if we walk in the light as He [God] is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:7 NIV)
