Sorry for the general inactivity. Until 10/15 I'm in single-dad mode and have people staying in my basement pretty much every day, so I don't have computer access except when I'm at work (like right now - slow day).

Spend Time With Godly Men

A crucial aspect of both faith and RP prescription is fellowship. In the RP world we talk about the need for men being among other strong, like-minded men. Paul says the same thing: "Join together in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you" (Philippians 3:17).

As believers in Christ, it's not enough simply to be around other RP men (or for women, other RP women), otherwise we'll be led astray. 1 Cor. 15:33 says, "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company ruins good morals.'" With all respect to places like MRP, if that's your only or primary source of fellowship, you're in trouble. Any effort to deny this falls in the "do not be deceived" category.

I'm not saying that to promote this sub either. You should have a fellowship of believers in person and not just online. As Hebrews 10:25 notes, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing." Don't let an online community be a substitute for real life interpersonal relationships. At best, on reddit we are "leaving messages" for each other - certainly not "meeting together."

Don't Overdo It

With that said, I used to think fellowship was somewhat of a blow-off lesson. Most Christians know how to spend time with other Christians, right? In reality, a few years ago a buddy of mine showed me that fellowship is actually one of the hardest of the 7 basics to master.

Hanging out with other believers is massively important. For a new believer, this is how they're going to stay alive - even to the point that I would call this a priority more than any of the other basics. When a coal is removed from the flame, it burns out almost immediately. Put it back in and it lights on fire again - immediately! New believers should learn how to maintain a healthy balance of fellowship in their lives so they don't lose the life that comes from the gathering of believers.

Here's the problem, though: they go too far. They never learn a healthy balance of fellowship - they learn how to become obsessed with fellowship. New Christians become so excited about their new-found relationship with Jesus that they want to completely abandon their old life and dive head-on into the "church world." Church people are so excited that one among them actually shared the Gospel and "it worked" that they're all too eager to pull that person into everything they're doing. And then that person becomes a "church person" and does the same thing with the next guy who comes around.

The problem is that all these "church people" get so used to hanging out in their own bubble that they forget to build intentional relationships with other non-Christians around them. Sure, they have casual non-Christian acquaintances that they may say hi to every now and then, but conversation rarely goes deep enough for a true heart-to-heart.

The point here is that Christians like fellowship so much that they over-emphasize it and neglect other areas. As I often tell people, it's possible to be "sinfully negligent" of any of the basics (more on that later too), but it's also possible to be "sinfully overdosing" any of these as well.

To the new or "not yet mature" believers: build solid, trusting relationships with those you meet in the church, but don't abandon your old friends who still need to hear about Jesus.

To the rest of you: learn how to re-engage with those in your world for the sake of the Gospel. Doing "the church thing" day in and day out isn't why you're here. Learn how to have an appropriate balance of fellowship with evangelism and not become obsessed with the church life. As I said, this is possibly the most difficult of the 7 basics to master - not because people aren't good at it, but because they're too good at it.

Critical Thinking Question

  • *What defines "good Christian fellowship"?

Consider the following scenario: Bob is hanging out with his church buddies at the bowling alley. They have some drinks, munch on some pizza, tell some jokes. Everyone is laughing and having a good time, swapping stories about stuff they've done recently. After a few frames Bob says before leaving, "Thanks for a good time, guys. It's great to have good Christian fellowship."

Is this "good Christian fellowship"? [Note: rather than giving the answers and a long essay up here, I'd prefer to engage in the comments on this one.]