Fellowship, does it help us overcome sin?

[walla299]

42 minutes ago, Whyme said:

God holds me accountable. You cant read peoples minds in church so how can you hold someone accountable? God knows the heart. You say i am sinning but you dont know my heart.  

The uncomfortable thing about fellowship is what's going on right now. Gathering with other believers doesn't necessarily mean going to church, but church is part of the picture for a believer.

As in Proverbs: "as iron sharpens iron"

I've worked in equipment shops for years and one thing you learn fast is that 2 pieces of iron or steel rubbing or striking each other will make 2 things: sparks and shavings!

We don't need to read the heart the way Jesus does because He said, "by their fruits shall you know them." A big part of real, honest, face to face fellowship is having someone love me enough to call my sin what it is: sin. This is not someone being a bully or self righteous. It's seeing a brother you know going down a bad path and warning them of the danger ahead. To ignore it and not warn them would be unloving in the extreme.

 

 

[The_Patriot21]

1 hour ago, Whyme said:

God holds me accountable. You cant read peoples minds in church so how can you hold someone accountable? God knows the heart. You say i am sinning but you dont know my heart.  

Im just explaining how it is. No i dont know your heart...but i do know what the Bible says and i do know that you cannot replace real human interaction with online. So regardless of what you believe, regardless of where your heart is, its obviously not in the right place because your not following Gods word. 

God uses two things to hold us accountable...people and the holy spirit, and often theyre used together. If you avoid people then your avoiding accountability from people, pure and simple.

Notice however i never said you sinned...i said by running from your problems you were holding yourself back, mentally and spiritually, which you are. You are the one who brought sin into the conversation, perhaps its the Holy Spirit talking to you. Which would mean you maybe ignoring the Holy spirit as well. In any case i really am done as this is a fruitless argument.

[Whyme]

26 minutes ago, walla299 said:

The uncomfortable thing about fellowship is what's going on right now. Gathering with other believers doesn't necessarily mean going to church, but church is part of the picture for a believer.

As in Proverbs: "as iron sharpens iron"

I've worked in equipment shops for years and one thing you learn fast is that 2 pieces of iron or steel rubbing or striking each other will make 2 things: sparks and shavings!

We don't need to read the heart the way Jesus does because He said, "by their fruits shall you know them." A big part of real, honest, face to face fellowship is having someone love me enough to call my sin what it is: sin. This is not someone being a bully or self righteous. It's seeing a brother you know going down a bad path and warning them of the danger ahead. To ignore it and not warn them would be unloving in the extreme.

 

 

What danger? God guides me. Psalms 23 comes to mind. I could say your approach to fellowship is narrow minded. I could say sitting in church isn't what matters but what matters is a relationship with the Lord. I could say your view is immature, for babes, but you would accuse me of pride im sure. God forgive you if you do.

Edited April 22, 2021 by Whyme

[Starise]

I had considered "fellowship" what happens when we are with other believers. My "fellowship" usually consisted of small talk after the sermon. I don't think this is true fellowship. What comes closer to fellowship for me is intimate sharing in small discussions during a bible study. We get to know one another that way. We can pray for one another.

If the sin is of a personal nature maybe we can find a Christian brother who we feel safe confiding in and ask them to pray for you and maybe even help you to overcome the struggles. At the very least in a group we can ask for "unspoken" requests so they all know you have a deep prayer need you don't feel comfortable in sharing. In order for iron to sharpen iron the have to make close contact, should be a follow up like, : Hey how is that working out for you. I'm still praying for you brother." " Is there anything I can do to help you?"  

Ecclesiastes 4:12

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

We are social beings. Even those of us who don't think we are. Granted we might not require as MUCH social interaction as someone else does.

No man is an Island.

These words from an old Simon and Garfunkel tune come to mind. I see them as someone who has determined to be a loner, only he's trying to convince himself he's ok when he really isn't

I Am A Rock

A winter's day
In a deep and dark December
I am alone
Gazing from my window to the streets below
On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow
I am a rock
I am an island
I've built walls
A fortress deep and mighty
That none may penetrate
I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain
I am a rock
I am an island
Don't talk of love
Well I've heard the word before
It's sleeping in my memory
I won't disturb the slumber of feelings that have died
If I never loved I never would have cried
I am a rock
I am an island
I have my books
And my poetry to protect me
I am shielded in my armor
Hiding in my room, safe within my womb
I touch no one and no one touches me
I am a rock
I am an island
And a rock feels no pain
And an island never cries

 

 

[Whyme]

I don't get it. Come here daily to discuss scripture or in church once a week. Don't we eventually submit to God's ways? What need is there for a father, or teacher? Its not about continual learning, its about  growing and doing.

Edited April 22, 2021 by Whyme

[Whyme]

You need face to face fellowship they say, but can you see my heart? Only God can. The point of teachers is to teach us the teaching of the Lord. I have that teaching. Should I be a baby in Christ, constantly tossed around by the winds of doctrine? No, I grow up and follow what God has put in my heart. Amen?

[Willa]

On 4/20/2021 at 11:07 AM, Whyme said:

Does fellowship help us overcome sin in our lives? And, does online fellowship help us to do this? Sorry folks, i know i post a lot of threads, but this has been on my mind and i want input. Thank you.

Fellowship of people who are physically present does help because you are less likely to join in drunken carousing, doing drugs or watching sinful movies when having several committed Christians with you.  Their language will probably be better than ungodly friends as well.  

Memories of Christian fellowship are partly responsible for my returning to the Lord after back sliding.  It was great to have an outing boating, water skiing and inner tubing on the river with hotdogs around a camp fire at the end of the day.  There was no feeling guilty or sick the day after--just good memories of clean fun.

I would hope that fellowship here would be a positive influence  but we don't follow you to other activities that you might engage in.  You are less likely to be transparent when we can't see your face or how you dress,  and you can't see us. 

[Whyme]

1 minute ago, Willa said:

Fellowship of people who are physically present does help because you are less likely to join in drunken carousing, doing drugs or watching sinful movies when having several committed Christians with you.  Their language will probably be better than ungodly friends as well.  

Memories of Christian fellowship are partly responsible for my returning to the Lord after back sliding.  It was great to have an outing boating, water skiing and inner tubing on the river with hotdogs around a camp fire at the end of the day.  There was no feeling guilty or sick the day after--just good memories of clean fun.

I would hope that fellowship here would be a positive influence  but we don't follow you to other activities that you might engage in.  You are less likely to be transparent when we can't see your face or how you dress,  and you can't see us. 

You can't see Jesus either, does that mean his fellowship is inadequate?

[Willa]

 

23 minutes ago, Whyme said:

You can't see Jesus either, does that mean his fellowship is inadequate?

When you are aware that He is with you and watching you it probably helps a lot, but most people intent on doing sinful things aren't thinking of Him.

[Whyme]

8 minutes ago, Willa said:

 

When you are aware that He is with you and watching you it probably helps a lot, but most people intent on doing sinful things are thinking of Him.

I'm intent on doing good. Its up to me, no man can walk it for me, we walk alone. This is where Jesus comes in. Can you take away my sin? Can you even see it? If so tell me and I'll consider it, but you can't, not face to face or online. Preach the word, thats all one can do. Teach people to look within, to seek truth inside. 

Edited April 22, 2021 by Whyme