Fellowship, apa dan Bagaimana?

Written by Adison

Thursday, 10 August 2006

Artikel ini merupakan rangkuman dari topik pembicaraan yang dibawakan Dave Sneller (Staff Navigator dan ISI pada saat itu) di Spring semester tahun 1998. Dalam rangkuman ini dibahas point-by-point apa saja artinya suatu fellowship. Penting bagi teman-teman yang sekarang mengikuti persekutuan (fellowship) dalam ICF maupun bagi mereka yang ingin tahu apa dan bagaimana sih fellowship yang dilakukan oleh ICF. Title: Fellowship Speaker: Dave Sneller (International Students Inc.) Date: Spring 1998 Source: ICF Austin Summary by: Adison FELLOWSHIP God desires that every believer be a functioning member of a local church -- a local "body" or "family" of believers. Members of One Another "So we who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another" (Romans 12:5) No individual Christian can function effectively by himself. No member of Christ\'s body should feel that he is more important than another member of Christ body. "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you" (Romans 12:3). Christians should work hard at keeping the unity of the Spirit in the body of Christ. "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no\r\ndivisons among you and you may be perfectly united in mind and thought" (I Cor. 1:10). Devoted to One Another "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love" (Romans 12:10) Evaluate your attitude and actions toward other members of your "Christian family". "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility\r\nconsider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Phil. 2:3-4). Do I spend most of my time thinking about myself rather than others? Do I spend time praying for others or myself? Am I forgiving toward others? Or am I basically angry and resentful? Whan I am hurt, do I withdraw or do I continue to be involved with other people? Do I fear rejection or do I reach out to others? Do I humbly consider others better than myself? Do I look to the interest of others? Honor One Another "Honor one another above yourselves" (Romans 12:10) Be of the Same Mind with One Another "Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another to Christ Jesus" (Romans 15:5) Accept One Another "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God" (Romans 15:7) In least three areas Christians have historically violated the injunction "accept one another" by judging one another (legalism), in showing partiality (prejudice), and by not being reconciled to one another (bitterness). Admonish one Another "And concerning you, my brethren, I myself am also convinced that you\r\nyourselves are full of goodness, filled with all the knowledge, and able also to admonish one another" (Romans 15:14) To confront a Christian about his sin is difficult. However, it is a great sign of love to be willing to risk rejectino. And if admonishment is done in the right spirit, with the right motive, using an appropriate method, the person whom is not living a life worthy of the Gospel of Christ usually senses the risk you are taking. Though that person may have difficulty acknowledging it at the moment, down deep he really knows. Romans 15:14 identifies the basis for being competent to instruct (or admonish) one another. Submit to One Another "And be subject to one another in the fear of Christ" (Ephesians 5:21) Serve One Another "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." (Gal. 5:13) Do you express Christian love to others? Is there evidence of joy in your life? Is there peace and unity with others? Are you showing patience with others? Are you kind in your action and attitude? By your acts are you demonstrating goodness? Are you faithful to others? Do you demonstrate gentleness? Do you control yourself in conversations and general life style? Bearing with One Another "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2) The word "bear" in Ephesians means to be tolerant toward Christians: to bear with them; to patiently endure their idiosyncracies and weaknesses; to have a forgiving spirit toward others who may sin against us. Take a good, honest look at yourself and make a list of your weaknesses and idiosyncracies. What do you do that irritates others? In the light of your own attitudes and actions, do you expect more from others than you do from yourself? Do you criticize others in the areas of your own weaknesses? Make a list of all Christians you have difficulty relating to -- especially those you hold a grudge agains. Now ask yourself why you can't relate to these Christians; or why you are angry with them. Consciously and deliberately forgive every person who has ever done wrong to hurt you. Then, one by one, talk to these Christians. If they hurt you, tell them why you feel as you do. Ask them to forgive you for your attitude -- even though they may be primarily at fault. (Don't base your "forgiveness" on the conditions that they offer an apology. Take care of your own attitudes and God will take care of theirs.) Encourage One Another "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up" (I Thess. 5:11)

 

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