Ah, the mighty Oak. Strong, rigid, and standing alone, secure in its strength and individuality. Some people imagine that this description should apply to themselves, not just a tree. But this is not God’s way. Someone might say that a description like this could be applied to God himself, but he, in fact, surrounds himself with remarkable beings (Eze 1 & Rev 4) and friends (John 15:15). We learn in 1 Cor 1:9 that, “God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Fellowship is a good word that describes relationships with a knowledge of and acceptance of one another. In fellowship, there is closeness, caring, and connection. Believers are called, welcomed, included, as well as expected, to be in fellowship with Jesus and fellowship with one another. A beautiful quick verse in Acts 2 says it well, “All the believers were together and had everything in common” (44).
Having everything in common does not mean everyone would pick the same favorite color, song, or food. It means they shared their lives and their stuff with each other. It is explained in the next verses:
They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved (45-47).
This is not a picture of believers standing alone. Standing alone has to happen in each person’s life at moments, but it is not to be one’s way of life. The picture from the scriptures is of believers that are connected, close, and care for each other. We have the same target today, to know and care for people and be known and cared for too; that is the church.
Pastor John Riley
Jr. High Pastor